Kamal Abbas
Kamal Abbas | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 Egypt |
| Occupation(s) | Labor activist, trade unionist |
| Known for | General Coordinator of the Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS); activism during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 |
Kamal Abbas (; born 1955) serves as the General Coordinator for the Center for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS), an advocacy organization dedicated to supporting independent labor unions in Egypt.[1] With a career spanning more than two decades in labor activism,[2] Abbas was instrumental in rallying worker participation during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 and its subsequent developments. His approach emphasizes nonviolent strikes and demonstrations advocating for improved wages, safer working environments,[3] regular union elections, and the establishment of autonomous union structures.
Abbas’s activism began with organizing a strike at a steel factory in Helwan, Egypt, in 1989, an action that resulted in his arrest, mistreatment, and job termination. This experience motivated him to establish CTUWS and escalate his efforts advocating for labor rights throughout the country. His interactions with Mubarak's administration were marked by confrontation, including several detentions.[2] The Los Angeles Times characterized Abbas as "a significant irritant" to Mubarak’s government, highlighting his "dedication, systematic approach, and familiarity with police monitoring."[4]
In 2007, Abbas was sentenced to one year imprisonment on charges of defamation, an action that drew widespread criticism from international labor and human rights groups.
His prominence increased during the 2011 uprising as he played a crucial role in mobilizing workers nationwide to demand civil liberties and the ousting of Mubarak’s regime.
In February 2012, Abbas received an additional six-month prison term for allegedly "insulting" a government official.
1989–1990: Initial activism and CTUWS establishment
Starting his career at age 20 in 1975, Abbas worked at a steel mill. Despite the dominance of the state-controlled Egyptian Trade Union Federation (ETUF) under Mubarak’s rule, he organized laborers independently. In 1989, he took part in a strike at Helwan’s Iron and Steel Company involving 19,000 employees who demanded higher wages and workplace meals. The protest was met with force by approximately 10,000 riot police deploying rubber bullets and tear gas, resulting in one fatality, over one hundred injuries, and hundreds detained.
Following this event, Abbas was arrested on four occasions, including a 45-day incarceration during which he endured torture. He was later dismissed from his job for engaging in what authorities labeled an "illegal" strike unauthorized by the official union.
In 1990, Abbas co-established the Centre for Trade Unions and Workers Services (CTUWS) based in Helwan to assist workers and promote independent unionism within the private sector. Under the guidance of labor attorney Yusuf Darwish, Abbas transitioned from Marxist ideology toward practical labor reforms for CTUWS, drawing inspiration from international labor movements such as European unions and Poland’s Solidarity.
1990–2007: Involvement with CTUWS
Abbas maintained a strained relationship with Mubarak's administration, characterized by frequent clashes with authorities and multiple detentions.
In 1998, Abbas interpreted the July strikes at the Egypt-Helwan Textiles Factory and Nasr Pharmaceutical as a critical examination of privatization efforts, asserting that workers had gained the ability to oppose such changes.
By 1999, he stressed the importance of educating and training workers, criticizing the dependence on foreign specialists and repetitive assembly-line tasks that hindered skill development among Egyptian laborers.
During the 2000 Parliamentary elections, Abbas contested as an independent labor candidate for Helwan after a challenging battle to secure union recognition. He openly criticized Minister Sayed Mash'al in response to a deadly factory explosion and the insufficient compensation provided to affected workers.
In 2001, Abbas pointed out the increasing privatization of jobs and the diminished influence of professional committees within trade unions. He observed a political transition from safeguarding the public sector toward defending workers' rights regardless of employer type.
Abbas opposed the 2002 Unified Labour Law because it excluded significant groups such as government employees, domestic workers, temporary staff, and certain agricultural laborers.
Beginning in 2003, he pursued official registration under NGO Law 84/2002 but condemned its restrictive clauses aimed at controlling organizations like his. He resisted governmental efforts to remove "worker" and "trade union" from his organization's name and mission.
By 2005, Abbas expressed disappointment over the absence of labor issues in political reform discussions, noting that parties aligned with workers mainly concentrated on political participation legislation. He attributed a resurgence in labor activism to broader movements for political reform.
He also criticized contract provisions that allowed arbitrary dismissals and protested requirements mandating strike approvals from the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU), arguing that such regulations weaken workers’ negotiating strength.
In June 2005, Abbas commented on legal conflicts at Al-Amrya Weaving and Textile Company, emphasizing that distinctions between public and private sector employees were becoming irrelevant amidst widespread privatization.
That July, Abbas sustained serious injuries during a protest opposing Mubarak's human rights violations.
He further condemned the Muslim Brotherhood's inconsistent approach to civil rights in 2005, accusing them of delivering contradictory messages publicly versus privately.
In November 2006, Abbas dismissed GFTU elections as increasingly insignificant due to the decline in public sector industrial workers. He called for a focus on unorganized private sector employees and advocated establishing independent trade union frameworks amid ongoing public sector privatization.
2007–2010: CTUWS shutdown, legal battle, and incarceration
In November 2007, Abbas criticized government sell-offs of companies to foreign investors, asserting these actions resulted in job reductions. He labeled the regime as illegitimate and warned that poverty in Cairo could provoke violent confrontations with law enforcement. Abbas expressed skepticism about the labor movement leading political change soon, emphasizing instead attention to workers' economic conditions.
In April 2007, authorities closed CTUWS offices located in Helwan, Nag' Hamadi, and Mehala Al-Kobra citing "security concerns," accusing Abbas of collaborating with "external forces" aiming to destabilize the economy.
By September 2007, Abbas and writer Mohamed Helmy were found guilty of defamation after publishing allegations of corruption against the 15th of May Youth Center—a board on which Abbas served. The lawsuit was initiated by Mohamed Mustafa Ibrahim, chairman of the center’s board. Abbas received a one-year prison sentence under Article 188 of Egyptian law penalizing false reporting.
Abbas told National Public Radio that his sentencing was politically motivated due to government fears over labor’s political influence; this occurred amid broader crackdowns on journalists. He denied CTUWS was responsible for inciting strikes, attributing unrest instead to widespread worker dissatisfaction.
CTUWS condemned the verdict as an attempt to protect corrupt officials from scrutiny. International labor organizations such as the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ITUC) denounced the ruling and accused Mubarak’s government of suppressing opposition and independent unions. Italian trade unions and human rights groups also voiced protests.
Labor historian Joel Beinin interpreted the assault on CTUWS as part of intensified repression by Mubarak’s regime. Following the conviction, Cairo’s governor confirmed corruption at the youth center and dissolved its board.
Abbas appealed his conviction in December 2007 and remained free while proceedings were underway.
In 2009, Human Rights Watch documented increased harassment of activists at Cairo airport, including Abbas’ detention.
During 2010, Abbas criticized a government committee tasked with minimum wage discussions for its inactivity but supported its objective of achieving a seven percent salary increase. He also reproached the labor complaints committee for rarely convening.
That year, Abbas opposed proposals to delay trade union elections and condemned ETUF as a government-controlled entity unrepresentative of workers. He highlighted election irregularities involving voter transportation manipulation.
In May 2010, Abbas denounced the forced termination of extended protests by workers from Amonsito, Egyptian Telephone Company, and el-Nubaria Agricultural Engineering companies; he threatened to file complaints with the International Labour Organization.
In August 2010, Abbas challenged military tribunals trying civilian workers employed at military production facilities and criticized ETUF leader Megawer’s appointed position and connections to the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). He argued ETUF improperly granted labor representation status to businessmen and retired officers affiliated with the ruling party rather than genuine workers.
2011–present: Egyptian revolution
Amid the revolution, Abbas advocated for the establishment of new trade unions at Tahrir Square, stating, “On January 30th, we convened with delegates from independent trade union groups to discuss forming a fresh federation. We announced this initiative in Tahrir Square, and since then, workers have responded positively. The current challenge is to construct a society founded on social justice.”
In February 2011, Abbas denounced the elections within the federation syndicates as marred by corruption and violence, urging the creation of autonomous syndicates inspired by those that existed prior to 1952.
He also expressed support for strikes driven by public anger over the Mubarak family’s accumulation of wealth.
By May 2011, Abbas celebrated the International Workers' Day events as a milestone that signified a departure from the state-dominated ETUF, endorsing the newly established Egyptian Federation of Independent Trade Unions (EITUF). The emphasis was on workers’ rights to form unions free from government interference.
In June 2011, Abbas joined in filing a legal petition aiming to dissolve the ETUF, demanding the confiscation of its assets and prohibiting it from acting as Egypt’s representative in international labor matters.
At the International Labour Organization gathering in June 2011, Abbas openly condemned the ETUF for its support of privatization policies and suppression of workers, accusing it of defending Mubarak’s regime.
During the revolution, Abbas recorded a message from Tahrir Square expressing solidarity with American workers engaged in strikes in Wisconsin, highlighting common struggles for rights and justice.
In March 2011, speaking at a labor forum on trade unions after Mubarak’s fall, Abbas proclaimed: "The regime has collapsed...the Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions has collapsed! What else do you need? Go establish your own unions!"
On 29 February 2012, the CTUWS announced that Abbas had been sentenced in absentia to six months imprisonment for allegedly "insulting" a public official.
See also
External links
- ↑ Dine, Philip (2011-02-08). "DINE: Egyptian workers key element in uprising". The Washington Times.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Roots of Egypt's Revolution: Labor Unions and the Uprising in Tahrir Square". Towardfreedom.com. 2011-06-22.
- ↑ "Egyptians defy call to end strikes - Middle East". Al Jazeeran English. 2011-02-16.
- ↑ "Problems in Egypt - Unions tap into public ire in Egypt". Los Angeles Times. 2008-05-14.