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VIDEO: The labour movement in the Egyptian revolution

Egypt's labour movement has formed a powerful undercurrent in Egypt's revolutionary movement
Striking workers have been a major factor in anti-government struggles in Egypt (Mosireen)

The 2011 Egyptian revolution is usually thought of as an uprising against dictatorship and corruption. But underlying the protests was a powerful labour movement that conflicted with neoliberalism, inequality and privatisation. Four years on, the same contradictions and conditions that provoked mass strikes and industrial action are still prevalent in Egypt.

Anne Alexander, author of 'Bread, Freedom and Justice: Workers and  the Egyptian Revolution' and Jack Shenker, a journalist who covered the revolution for The Guardian, spoke to MEE about the nature of class and labour struggles in the uprisings that overthrew Hosni Mubarak, and discuss how relevant this narrative still is today.
 

http://youtu.be/49nN0x3bWME

Shot/Edited: Alex MacDonald

Music: Internationale

Additional footage: Mosireen Collective, Anadolu Agency

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