Egypt launches 'Your Road is Safe' initiative targeted at delivery workers

CAIRO – 23 August 2022: After launching "Safe Shores" initiative targeted at fishermen and "Silky Hands" initiative targeted at carpet makers, the ministry of social solidarity launched Tuesday "Your Road is Safe" initiative targeted at delivery workers, within the government's bid to expand the social safety network among irregular workers.

The program is aimed at providing them with social insurance, health insurance, and credit, in case they want to start their own businesses. In addition, bikes, motorcycles, and helmet will be disbursed, with the first phase to be taking place in Alexandria and Cairo. Further, lectures on safe riding will be delivered.  

The size of credit made available to fund micro and small businesses by delivery workers amounts to LE2.8 billion, estimated to finance 360,000 enterprises. The interest rate on such loans will range between five and nine percent.  

As for social insurance, they will get to choose the duration of subscription, its value, if they will pay it monthly, quarterly or annually, and retirement age, which can be 55, 60 or 65. The insurance is not limited to pensions but also covers injury and death.

That kind of insurance, dubbed "Your Pension in Your Hand, offered to irregular workers has already been made available to agrarian workers across 20 governorates.

Minister Nevine al-Qabaj stated that the delivery sector's revenues in the MENA region recorded $9 billion in annual revenues, according to March figures. The sector also grew by 2.5 percent last year, as food delivery alone is worth $2.5 billion.

Speaking of Egypt, the minister pointed out that six million young men and women work in the delivery field.

Qabaj underscored that the number of irregular workers in Egypt nears 11.8 million, and that they are concentrated in the sectors of agriculture, constructions, and transportation, including delivery boys.