Waly stresses govt commitment to protecting poorest segments

CAIRO - 16 December 2017: Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Waly has stressed, yet again, the government's commitment to protecting poorest segments, while continuing to implement its comprehensive economic reform program.

Truly, economic reforms have had their negative impact at the social level, Waly acknowledged, but she noted that the government still subsidized supply commodities and increased cash subsidy by 64 percent and pensions by 60 percent.

She was speaking during a forum on social protection in Egypt held by the Social Solidarity Ministry in cooperation with the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization.

A report on children poverty in Egypt was issued during the forum.

Waly also touched upon tax exemption and a health insurance bill that is being probed by parliament.

The government is in the process of finalizing a bill on social security to be referred to parliament as well, the minister added.

She also talked about social programs for the handicapped.