Egyptian TAX COLLECTORS lead the wave of militancy

The most unlikely of striking workers show that militancy should/could come from any quarter.

Egyptian TAX COLLECTORS rally for their Free Union. Previously in Egypt all unions were connected and organised by the State. Last year in a wave of occupations, strikes and protests the Tax Collectors won the right for a Free Union. But now this is under threat due to the Government awarding a commison to the State-backed union.

This from Arabawy, where you can get regular updates (his blog is linked at the bottom of mine under 'IST blogs' for easey finding)

Egypt’s property tax collectors are starting an open-ended strike on Tuesday, protesting the Finance Ministry’s decree by which a project for a social welfare fund was commissioned to the state-backed union instead of the independent union that enjoys the support of the majority of the ministry’s civil servants.

There are also many many links to other similar posts on his blog. Look for his automatic 'Bookmarks' on his blog or on his Delicious account.

Egyptian circus clowns on strike!!

From arabawy

Talk of a strike wave: Egypt’s state-run National Circus clowns, performers and workers stage sit-in against privatization, demanding medical insurance, allowances and bonuses…

Now there's a story to brighten your day. I bet the bosses aren't laughing (all the way to the bank) now.

Egyptian Embassy refuse petition of protest

Today we spoke out in solidarity with the people from Mahalla and the 49 detainees set to be put on trial on Saturday 9 August. The Egyptian Embassy on South St, London, did NOT, however, welcome our delegation of protesters.

Soon after assembling the police arrived and spoke to our organisers: they informed us that we would not be allowed to present the letter and petition directly to the Embassy en masse. This was to prevent us from 'intimidating' the embassy officials! A small group of people were permitted to approach the front door to deliver the letters but the door was answered not by embassy officials but by the same police officers. The embassy refused to officially receive the letter and we were informed by the police that we could post it through the letter box. Rob Owen, NEC NUS did so rather unceremoniously. A full report and better pictures will be posted here in the morning.


Cairo Conference Committee report on Arabawy's blog

More pictures from Clara's Flickr

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