Egyptian expats allowed unlimited unpaid leaves: Makram

CAIRO – 2 August 2018: Minister of Immigration and Expatriates’ Affairs Nabila Makram announced the Council of Ministers’ approval to the decision allowing Egyptian expats to get unlimited unpaid leaves. "Expats can renew their leaves annually," Makram said.

Parliament’s Manpower Committee called for reconsidering a decision that disables expats who have spent 4 years abroad from renewing their leaves, and compels them to resume their jobs in their homeland after the 4-year leave is over.

In a press conference on Wednesday in the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, following a ministerial meeting, Makram said that members of the judicial authorities, universities' academic staff and the staff of the presidential institution are exempted from the new decision allowing expats to get unlimited leaves. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Makram revealed that Egyptian expats, according to the new decision, can renew their leaves without returning to their homeland.


Nabila Makram announces the Council of Ministers’ approval to allow Egyptian expats to get unlimited unpaid leaves during a press conference in the headquarters of the Council of Ministers, August 2018 – Press photo
The minister announced earlier her support to a proposal to extend the expats’ unpaid leaves. She said that people with temporary contracts can occupy the expats’ jobs in Egypt until they return.

“The ministry is keen to restore the trust between [people] working abroad and the state,” Makram stated, adding: “The political leadership cares about Egyptians abroad. The president and the prime minister directed to ease [procedures] for [expats] in accordance with the state's interest to fulfill the human needs of Egyptians abroad."

During the "Your Vacation at Your Home Country" initiative held Tuesday, Makram said: “Egypt is the heart of the world and is targeted. It is going through a war on the ground and is facing a war of information,” the minister stressed, asserting that Egyptians should beware of the rumors that spread to destroy the Egyptian society.

“You are our soldiers and heroes, just like our soldiers in Sinai who protect us from terrorists and sacrifice their lives for our stability,” Makram said to the Egyptian expats.


A ministerial meeting attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, August 2018 – Press Photo