Mahalla is a textile factory with 29,000 employees. A week-long strike occured already in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 the whole city gathered during another strike in solidarity with the workers. That turned into a demonstration against Mubarak, sounding the bell for the revolution.

The workers demanded the break-up of the union and the introduction of a minimum wage of 1,200 LE (156 euros). In October 2010 the government introduced a minimum wage of 400 LE (52 euros). In 2011 the basic wage of a worker in Mahalla was 110 LE (14 euros).

Besides the break-up of the union and the introdution of a minimum wage the workers demanded the sacking of the CEO and an end to corruption.