Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 08/2014

Egypt's Labor Dilemma

Mustansir Barma

February 2014

Atlantic Council

Abstract

In a new Atlantic Council issue brief, “Egypt’s Labor Dilemma,” author Mustansir Barma analyzes the current issues facing the labor movement in Egypt and the failure of the government to improve the economic situation for workers and employers.

Barma, a former senior economic researcher at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, argues that each of the country’s government since the January 25, 2011, uprising failed to make headway on labor issues. That year, a new informal trade union was established to propel the uprising’s original slogan of “bread, freedom, and social justice.” However, this new union is still not recognized by the government.