dec 30, 1160 BC - The First Labour Strike in Recorded History

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Year: 1159 BCE
Country: Egypt
Political/Government System: Monarchy – Pharaoh Ramesses III
Method of Protest: Strike
After a long period at war with the Sea People, many of the labour force in Egypt had died as a result of conscription. A lack of farmers combined with poor weather caused an insufficient harvest. Pharaoh Ramesses III was also preparing for a lavish festival to celebrate his 30 years of reign. These components caused Egypt’s economy to dwindle.
The strikes occurred when a group of tomb builders and artisans had been continually paid late for a number of months. During the first strike, the workers chanted the phrase “We are hungry!” as they marched towards the city. Their march lead them initially to Ramesses III’s mortuary Temple and then onto Thutmose III’s temple where they staged a sit-in.
Ancient Egyptian society functioned under the notion of Ma’at, meaning harmony. The authorities did not know how to deal with these strikes and were in complete bewilderment as they contradicted Ma’at. In an attempt to resolve the issue, they offered up pastries as a substitution for the workers’ wages. However, this was not enough and the workers continued to strike.
After months of protest, the local government refunded the workers and resolved the issue. These strikes set the benchmark for workers’ rights in ancient Egypt and also opened the doors for people to be able to freely protest injustice.

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