I Call on Everyone to Rid Themselves of Subjectivity

Translated by: Salma Hussein

Reviewed by: Mariam Essa

In the name of God

I feel happy in this assembly, as it is an occasion where the employer sits alongside the worker. This is the dream we have been dreaming of in the past, and it is starting to come true: the employer sitting with the worker, each having secured the other's trust.
Previously, employers sought to buy off the rulers, and some people would approach them to tempt them. The ruler, in turn, would look at the workers and try by every means to sow division among them under the pretext of partisanship, separating the workers for his own personal benefit and interest.

But today, we feel that we are moving in a new direction. The ruler does not seek out the employer, nor does he meddle between the workers for his own interest. When this revolution took place, our aim was freedom. Freedom has a noble meaning that cannot be fully reached in just a few days, as the past stands in our way. We firmly believe and are convinced that the worker has rights and the employer has rights.

Now, the employer and the worker think as one and work toward one goal: serving Egypt and Egypt alone. Not long ago, if certain groups made demands and they were met, it would be for a particular purpose and would come at the expense of other groups. A nation cannot be divided; the strength of the nation comes only from the strength of the collective.

We do not wish to prioritize the demands of one group over another, nor to raise the status of certain groups at the expense of others. We aim to solve the general problem, not just a private one. Some unemployed workers want to work, and we, in turn, strive to create opportunities for them. We work to protect the worker from the employer and to protect the employer from the worker, acting as arbitrators between the two.

I call on everyone to rid themselves of subjectivity. I recall a worker who was dismissed from one of the companies during the past era; when this worker tried to join any other company, he found his name blacklisted from employment.
Freedom cannot be fully reached in a short time, but we are working diligently to complete it through solidarity and unity, God willing, in the near future. We call for unity so that the goal of the revolution and freedom may be reached.

Peace and God’s mercy be upon you.

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Statement by Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser at the Editorial Board in Alexandria on December 13, 1953.