On this day in 1947, 15,000 workers in Mombasa, Kenya, approximately 75% of the workforce there, initiated a general strike, demanding higher and equal wages for all races. Although the colonial government declared the strike illegal, workers persisted and won wage increases twelve days later. In 1945, Kenya was a colony of Great Britain. Threats of a worker strike due to low wages led the British to create an investigatory "Phillips Committee", but, by the end of 1946, workers in Mombasa were upset with any meaningful change. In December 1946, workers held mass meetings, rumors spread about a potential strike, and government officials worked to prevent any labor action. On January 7th, 1947, 3,000 workers met to organize a strike, which began on the 13th with more than 15,000 workers, approximately 75% of the workforce in Mombasa, engaging in a general strike. The labor stoppage crossed many industries, including government, railroad, hotel, domestic workers, and dock workers. Taxi drivers went around the city spreading word of the strike and urging others to participate. The government immediately declared the strike illegal, citing the "Defense Regulations", which mandated the port at Mombasa to stay open, as it was the only major access site to Kenya Colony and Uganda. Despite this, workers persisted, meeting every day at a soccer field to organize. On the second day of the strike, 10,000 workers showed up to the daily meeting, which was run with no official leader, giving everyone an opportunity to speak. After more than a week of the city being paralyzed, a government official promised to gain improvements in working conditions within three months if the people would end their strike. Workers agreed and, on January 25th, 1947, all workers returned to their jobs. At the end of March, workers were given a 20-40% wage increase, housing allowances, paid holidays, paid overtime, and a higher minimum wage.

Im back (and also unable to copy the usual mega info)