ABSTRACT
The history of the garment and textile workers in Egypt begins in the late nineteenth century. It became even more instrumental in Egypt’s economy and workers’ history and activism during the twentieth century. In this chapter, I will give an overview of the relevant modern history of the garment and textile workers in Egypt and especially the Misr Company for Spinning and Weaving (MCSW) in El-Mahalla al-Kubra. I will review the workers’ actions at the company and the series of wildcat strikes that took place starting in 2006 and leading up to 2011. There will be an examination of how the government responded to these protests and the role of external forces. There will be a brief review of the role of women workers in this factory since it is of note.
