Egyptian President Sisi pledges on Labor Day to continue combating inflation, strengthening social protection

 CAIRO – 2 May 2024: President Abdel Fattah ElـSisi celebratedLabor Day with workers of Haier Factory in the 10th of OctoberCity, pledging to continue to combat inflation and strengthensocial protection networks

The president said that since day one of assuming power, he has been keen to enhance dialogue between various parties to address the challenges that hinder the establishment of a good work environment.

President El-Sisi also honored a number of skilled workers on Labor Day and witnessed, via video conference, some projects supported by the Ebda (Start) initiative.

Here is the President’s full speech at the celebration:

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful”

The great people of Egypt,

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed workers of Egypt,

May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you.

Allow me, as we celebrate Labor Day today, to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to every Egyptian hand that sows hope, crafts a dignified life, and builds for the present and the future, for an advanced modern Egypt, which is currently striding towards building its industrial base.

This would not have occurred without the massive and extraordinary efforts of Egypt's workers to reconstruct and upgrade the infrastructure across the republic, laying the foundation for an economic boom in all sectors, primarily in the industry.

I am honored to be here today, among you, Egypt's dedicated workers, in this impressive industrial edifice, which stands as a testament to your hard work, the hope for this nation to build a bright future worthy of its glorious history.

We will always remain committed to upholding the rights of Egypt's workers. The state will continue to work, hand in hand, with the efforts of our honorable workers and the traditional patriotic role of the employers to shape the nation's future, to increase employment rates, strengthen social protection nets, and raise wage levels.

I pledge to sustain this approach, while exerting utmost efforts to combat inflation and reduce price rises.

Egypt’s dedicated laborers,

The greatest value is embodied in your day, which we celebrate today, namely the value of work, which has always been the foundation for progress and growth for the Egyptian nation throughout history. From the very first day, I have been committed to promoting dialogue among the various parties to explore ways to address the challenges that impede the establishment of a sound work environment. I gave directives to the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue on Labor to hold more dialogue sessions among the tripartite constituents of work: the government, employers and workers. These sessions shall discuss various issues and legislations related to work and workers, including the draft labor law, to ensure the law achieves the desired balance in work relations and provides actual and effective protection of workers’ rights.

In addition, driven by a profound belief in the importance of concerted efforts by the state to provide a decent life for all segments of society, primarily the workers, I instructed the following:

1- To promptly conclude discussions on the draft labor law in the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue and call on the esteemed House of Representatives to swiftly discuss the draft law as early as possible, paving the way for its promulgation.

2- To increase the value of the minimum allowance paid by the Emergency Assistance Fund for Workers from LE 600 to LE 1500 as a minimum for each worker.

3- The Ministry of Manpower shall boost its role in enhancing the skills and human resources to meet the needs of the labor market, domestically and internationally, and continue to upgrade the vocational training system to provide skilled Egyptian labor. It shall also seek to benefit from the successful experiences of the private sector in this regard.

4- To establish a full-fledged training center to cater to the training needs of job seekers in the labor market, in line with the required international standards. This center should be a destination for skills development, drawing job seekers in Egypt and the region.

5- To proactively identify emerging jobs and their associated skill requirements.

6- The Ministry of Manpower shall develop a comprehensive national strategy to promote the culture of occupational safety and health, ensure compliance with its requirements, and provide a safe working environment for employers and workers, in order to safeguard all citizens: workers, employers, and the public. This is in addition to developing awareness campaigns for employers on the importance to committing to the occupational safety and health standards.

7- To continue efforts toward increasing the employment rates of the people of determination and integrating them into the labor market; and increasing the employment rates of women and empowering them economically, while ensuring they can keep a balance between their family and work duties.

8- To achieve the necessary legal protection for workers by increasing inspection rates of facilities subject to the labor law to ensure the enforcement of the law’s provisions and the application the minimum wage.

The great people, and esteemed workers of Egypt,

Over the past years, we have faced together formidable hardships and challenges that our beloved homeland would not have crossed without the sacrifices you have made. Your sacrifices will be forever inscribed in the record of honor, in the saga of our struggle to build a glorious, self-reliant, self-sufficient homeland, shaping its own destiny and cherishing its devoted sons and daughters.

To you, the loyal workers of Egypt, I extend my deepest gratitude, pride, and appreciation.

Many happy returns

May Egypt live in enduring progress and prosperity

Always and forever, with the blessings of Allah the Almighty

Long Live Egypt, Long Live Egypt, Long Live Egypt

May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon you