Talal Shokr: a deserving honor to a biography that will never disappear by death (Profile)

The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social rights (ECESR) praises the workers of Egypt and its trade unionist days before the celebration of International Workers’ Day on May 1, appreciating their struggles towards grabbing their rights at the times they are still facing several challenges concerning work conditions in light of extreme difficult economic conditions which impede their road to secure work environment and a decent life. In this occasion, we commemorate and honor the late trade union and labor leader, Talal Shokr, in an appreciation of his career which was filled with struggle as one of the most prominent figures who influenced trade union and labor movement in Egypt’s history.

The history of trade union and labor leader Talal Shokr which was filled with struggle, extended to dozens of years, fighting in the front-line defending workers’ rights and their issues, together with public rights and social justice, leaving a heritage worthy to be honored, that will never be disappeared by death.

Days after the celebration of workers’ day in 2022, death abducted one of the most prominent figures and mentors of trade union and labor movement through the departure of Talal Shokr. His death resulted in depriving the movement from one of its main pillars. Therefore, it wasn’t odd that he left in the workers’ month, as an exceptional farewell in an honor of his career whom he spent in serving the working class.

Deteriorating health conditions didn’t prevent Talal Shokr from being keen to complete his trade union role till his last breath of life. He was following up the trade union elections around the clock in its last session. Furthermore, he was always communicating with trade unions’ members and checking on them. It is worth mentioning that the contributed to establishing trade unions, together with building their capacities, as he is considered one of the most major organizers and mentors in the history of the Egyptian trade union movement.

On May 8, 1946, Talal Shokr was born in Tirah Village, Talkha City, Dakahlia Governorate, and it was fate that he died on the same day of his birth on May 8, 2022, inside a hospital after a heart catheterization operation.

The prominent leftist theoretician, Talal Shukr, was at the forefront of the workers of El Nasr Co. For Television & Electronics, and at that time he was able to gain confidence of his colleagues to become a member of the Trade Union Committee in the first trade union elections and session for him in 1979. In his second term, he became the General Secretary of the Trade Union Committee, and a member of the elected board of directors till his retirement in 2006.

He was characterized by calm character in all his situations. His calmness was active and influential which was mixed with a high fighting spirit whom he carried in all his trade union and labor battles that he fought with several of his generation, foremost of which was the battle of disclosing corruption in the Company itself, where he was a contributing member in founding the National Progressive Unionist Party and its Labor Office. At that time, the pages of “Al-Ahaly” newspaper were the arena for this battle, in addition to his prominent role in other several battles.

Shokr was one of the sons of Socialist Youth Organization, in addition to joining all labor organizational forms that were formed since the beginning of the millennium, such as the Coordinating Committee to Defend Trade Union Rights and Freedoms, the Committee to Defend Pension Funds and Protect the Insurance Rights, the House of Trade Union and Labor Services, and Union of Pensioners.

Moreover, he participated in establishing Socialist Popular Alliance Party, together with taking the responsibility as the head of the Party’s Labor Office and was elected as a member of the Party’s Central Committee in the First and Second Congresses, and as a Political Office Member till his death.

Furthermore, Shokr participated in drafting a modern vision for workers’ rights in order to transform it into a culture within labor circles to support organizing their bases and the emergence of their union committees defending their rights in their work institutions and business owners. In addition, he is considered a legal reference and an important expert in insurance and pensions issues, together with supporting the workers’ voice and demands in the recent Egyptian Constitutions and their amendments. Moreover, he participated in presenting an obvious vision concerning that demands for the Egyptian legislator when drafting labor laws. He held the position of Vice President of the Union of Pensioners, together with his participating in establishing the Independent Workers’ Union which in turn was a key tool in supporting trade union and labor movement, in addition to his unlimited support to all labor organizations which appeared after the 25th of January Revolution in 2011.

The late leader was a model of the trade union organizer and labor trainer whether through the House of Trade Union Services or through his work among the experts of the International Labor Organization. Moreover, he participated with his comrades Nabil Abdul Ghany, and Salah Al Ansary in establishing dozens of independent trade unions, together with building their capacities. Furthermore, he participated in bouncing the idea of the Democratic Federation of Egyptian Workers, and calling for it till its founding conference.

Shokr always believed in the the importance of women’s role in trade union work and his list always included women, hoping to support their union presence, which he continued throughout his career until his death, by training and supporting women cadres within the trade unions, and encouraging them to run for elections at the head of these unions.

In his hometown, the late leader received a solemn funeral, befitting his rich history of struggle, as he was running behind the rights of everyone tirelessly, and without waiting for an appreciation that he really deserves.

The late struggler left a great impact on trade union and labor movement, and in several trade union generations which were learned through him. Our condolences are dedicated to his colleagues, friends and fans for their loss, through completing his road in defending trade union and labor rights and freedoms.