Thousands find informal gigs at Cairo International Book Fair
The Cairo International Book Fair is not only an exciting event for publishers and readers, but also a bustling temporary workplace for those who labor behind the scenes, doing all the odd jobs that power the fair and earn them a tidy sum.
The 49th annual Cairo International Book Fair took place between Jan. 7 and Feb. 10, hosting more than 849 publishers. Haitham al-Haj Ali, chairman of the General Egyptian Book Organization, has called the fair the “largest in the world” in terms of turnout, with 3.9 million visitors.
Behind the face of the internationally renowned fair, there is an informal economy based on temporary jobs. Young men work as porters, tea makers, caterers and do odd jobs around the event, securing a nice sum at the end.
There are no official numbers for these informal positions, of course, but it's easy to calculate that it involves an enormous workforce of thousands.
Booksellers can almost never leave their booths for fear of having books stolen; their immobility gives rise to an army of unofficial workers who fetch and deliver things for them.
