Lee and Weinthal (2011) Flashcards
What is the role of trade unions in uprisings ?
Trade unions played a crucial but often overlooked role in the downfall of authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt. They were instrumental in mobilizing the working class and enabling the pro-democracy movements to thrive.
Describe the wave of strikes that took place in Egypt.
Starting in 2004 and continuing to the present day, an unprecedented wave of strikes swept across various sectors in Egypt, involving millions of workers. These strikes highlighted the deteriorating quality of life and vulnerability of working men and women to exploitation.
What are the impacts of strikes on worker’s dignity ?
Strikes had a profound effect on the perception of workers by their employers. Workers felt that going on strike made their employers acknowledge them as human beings, in contrast to being treated as mere resources.
What were the diverse sectors involved in strikes ?
The strikes initially began in the clothing and textile sector but soon spread to other industries including construction, transportation, food processing, and even the Cairo metro system. Notably, the largest strike occurred at Misr Spinning and Weaving in 2006.
Why was there resistance from state-controlled trade unions ?
The state-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) opposed the strikes and supported the government’s privatization plans. The turning point came when municipal tax collectors went on strike and staged a massive sit-in in Cairo.
Discuss the emergence of independent trade unions.
In response to the widespread strikes, the government was forced to allow the formation of the first independent trade union in Egypt in over half a century. Pro-labor NGOs played a crucial role in supporting and guiding these strikes.
Was their international solidarity and support for the workers of Egypt ?
Trade unions in other countries provided invaluable support to Egyptian workers, influencing the government’s response, and helping to disseminate information about the strikes globally.
What was UGTT’s role in Tunisia ?
In Tunisia, the General Tunisian Workers’ Union (UGTT), with roughly half a million members, played a pivotal role in not only toppling Ben Ali’s regime but also shaping the post-Ben Ali government. This marked a significant departure from decades of UGTT’s lethargy and state control.
What is identified as an important precondition for democratic development ?
Independent workers’ organizations and preventing political Islamists from co-opting free trade unions are identified as crucial preconditions for cultivating democracy in Tunisia and Egypt.
What is the historical context of the UGTT ?
The UGTT has a history of strike action dating back over 60 years, and participatory economic democracy played a significant role in Tunisian society prior to the Jasmine revolution. Despite Ben Ali’s efforts to suppress democratic trade union activity, the aspirations of workers persisted.
These concepts highlight the pivotal role of trade unions and workers’ movements in the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, emphasizing the importance of grassroots activism in effecting political change.
