Ya shabab… We need to devote some time and energy to this campaign…

In Solidarity with the Mansoura-España Garments Company workers, who have been staging a sit-in since 21 April demanding their unpaid social bonuses and May Day grants since 1999, and protesting the liquidation of their firm without the proper compensation, Kefaya is launching a boycott campaign against the United Bank which runs the company.

[Above: The United Bank branch in Abdel Khaleq Tharwat Street. Photo by Hossam el-Hamalawy, taken on 12 June.]

The factory’s labor force is 284, with 75% women. Monthly salaries range between LE75 to LE250. Workers were forced to work overtime frequently, only to be given 20 Piasters an hour.

For more background information on the struggle in the factory, click on the pic below…

[Above: Women workers occupying the factory, since 21 April. Photo by Hossam el-Hamalawy, taken on 9 May 2007.]

Please write the bank management, to express your outrage at what they are doing to their laborers whose work conditions could well match a sweatshop. Messages should be directed to the following:

Members of Executive Committee
Mohamed Ashmawy
Chairman & Managing Director
106, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo, Egypt
P.O.Box: 85 Magles El-Shaab
Tel.: (+202) 7920141
Fax: (+202) 7920735
E-mail: mohamed.ashmawy@theubeg.com

Badawy Hassan Hassanein
Executive Board Member
4, El Mosekar Ali Ismail, El Mesaha, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
P.O.Box: 85 Magles El-Shaab
Tel.: (+202) 7486609
Fax: (+202) 7498501
E-mail: badawy.hassan@theubeg.com

Mohamed Adel El Sanhoury
Executive Board Member
106, Kasr El-Aini St., Cairo, Egypt
P.O.Box: 85 Magles El-Shaab
Tel.: (+202) 7920142
Fax: (+202) 7920150
E-mail: elsanhoury@theubeg.com

Mohamed Hassan El Sabagh
Executive Board Member
35, Ramsis St., Cairo, Egypt
P.O.Box: 2741 Cairo
Tel.: (+202) 5743674
Fax: (+202) 5753640
E-mail: mohamed.elsabagh@theubeg.com

A solidarity protest will be staged in front of the bank’s branch in Mansoura this Tuesday 19 June, 12 noon.