Saving Jobs in Egypt: What One AWLI Member Has Done

In the first few months of 2011, Egypt has made headlines.  The country is in the midst of one of the largest revolutions in the Middle East, and the world has been peppered with images of people demanding their rights to democracy, fairness and dignity.  However, before these historic events began, one woman was working in her community on a small, but important goal: To reinstate the jobs of 500 workers who were forced into early retirement.

Jumhoreyah Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Maksood is a 48-year-old accountant and member of the Arab Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI).  She holds two degrees in business and law, the latter of which she just received in 2001.  When she first heard of her colleagues – ages 35-50 − losing their jobs at a company she herself has worked for since 1987, she was outraged and swiftly moved into action.

“I started by contacting all of the stake-holders in the company.  Then I moved to exposing the matter to the opposition-owned newspapers, faxed letters to [then] President Muburak, anyone who would listen,” said Abdul-Maksood.  “I didn’t stop until every one of my colleagues got their jobs back.”

Egypt is the most populated country in the Middle East and the third most populated country in Africa.  Prior to the events of January 25, the unemployment rate was 9.4 percent, and many estimate it is much higher now.  Compounding this is that roughly two-thirds of the country is under the age of 30, and they comprise 90 percent of the unemployed.   To make way for this large group of young people in need of jobs, employees deemed too old are often moved out of their current positions into retirement – whether they are ready or not.

“These men and women were from many different branches in the company, different governorates all over Egypt,” explained Abdul-Maksood.  “They don’t have any other sources of income, and because they spent so many years at my company, they couldn’t find jobs at others.”   

Abdul-Maksood has had much experience fighting for the rights of her fellow Egyptians.  In addition to her schooling and professional life, Abdul-Maksood has volunteered with Women for Development, a local organization that advocates for the rights of others. 

Abdul-Maksood is also a municipal councilor in the 6 October Governorate and has hopes of moving up in politics.  She wants to run for president of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, which she’s already a member of, along with the people’s assembly in the upcoming elections.  She is hoping the experience she has in fighting for lost jobs, her voluntary work with Women for Development, and wealth of education will help her be successful in what will surely be an exciting campaign season for Egypt.

As an AWLI member, Abdul-Maksood attended two of the Institute’s trainings.  The first was advancing economic development through civil societies, and the second was on advocating for and advancing awareness of the legal rights of women in the Arab region.  At each of the trainings she reinforced her simple advice for women in the Arab region:

“To face our biggest challenges – political and economic empowerment – women should be strong, developed and civilized.  They should also equip themselves with education, knowledge and experiences, and continue to demand lost rights.”