Friedrich Engels

[On the Strike of the Cigar Makers in Antwerp]

Written on 3 April 1871.

["Der Volksstaat" No. 30 of 12 April 1871]

In
Antwerp
500 cigar makers
are out of work. The manufacturers gave them the choice: either dissolve their trade union (affiliated to the International Working Men’s Association) or be dismissed. Without exception, all resolutely refused this unreasonable demand, and thereupon the manufacturers closed their workshops.

The workers have 6,000 francs (1,600 thalers) in their funds; they have already got in touch with the cigar makers of Holland and England, and every influx from there is prevented. They will receive considerable financial support from England, £176 sterling (1,200 thalers) have already been dispatched, and further assistance is being arranged. The Antwerp workers, by the way, require only
advances
, as they declare themselves able to repay any aid rendered. Should the German cigar makers or other trade unions be in a position to afford support to their Antwerp brothers, it is to be hoped that they will not hold back. Remittances are to be sent to
Ph. Coenen
, Boomgaardsstraat 3, Antwerp. In any case it is their duty to keep German cigar makers from all influx into Antwerp as long as the manufacturers there persist in their demands.