BM Opinion: Why Tanta strikers must succeed

Why Tanta strikers must succeed

Bikya Masr

4 July 2009

They are good people and they deserve to live a better life. After spending over one month camped at the Tanta Flax and Oil company, the workers deserve to succeed. In a country overwhelmed by corruption, fearmongering and apathy, these people epitomize all the good aspects of Egyptian society and it is time for the country, and the world, to realize the importance of the workers on strike in Tanta.

On Tuesday, real opportunities to get to discuss with the workers the ongoing sit-in were cut short due to police intervention already detailed. On Friday, there were no police to curtail a meeting with one of the strike leaders. He was a cordial man who spoke frankly about the events unfolding. His attitude was optimistic and throughout the nearly two hour interview he was constantly smiling.

Although afraid for his safety, the man talked about the need to continue; push on with the workers efforts to create a better working atmosphere. He was not a Socialist and was not showing any signs of anger. He was honest and talked about the need to create a new identity in Egypt where workers have rights and deserve a better standard of living. Explaining the company’s management claims, the man appeared more as an observer than an active participant, highlighting the glaring fact that these people can be trusted.

And in Egypt, to be trusted means at least three things: 1. they abhor corruption, which is part of why they are following through with their sit-in; 2. they believe in the idea of community, or they wouldn’t have been able to come together in the strong manner in which they have; and 3. honesty. The workers are honest about the realities they face and the not-so-optimistic hope that things will change soon. These facts should have already led to massive support from the country’s activists, but it hasn’t and this is a disconcerting fact that should worry many.

If people fail to support and engage these workers, Egypt will continue a long line of near misses in recent history. No longer can the country’s burgeoning activist community remain holed up in Cairo, typing away at their computers, in the hopes that things will change. The Tanta wokers have shown that action can be taken and the myriad activists who claim to desire a real and viable change to this country, must take advantage of the situation presenting itself.

These people are making their own path. Why can’t others join on this path, which is full of hope, generosity and endurance. This is the kind of example Egypt needs. No longer can a government shut down peoples’ right to demand a new life and a new way, but only with the support and grassroots action needed by the activist community at large can this become a reality.

Don’t miss the call. If the Tanta workers do not succeed in changing their circumstances, all Egyptians will be one step further from creating a country where people have the chance to move and create.

BM