Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111) - Egypt (Ratification: 1960)

With reference to its previous direct requests, the Committee notes the information supplied in the Government's reports, in particular the explanation of the work of the commissions responsible for workers' affairs and Act No. 203 of 1992.

1. Noting that section 94(6) of Act No. 47 of 1978 and section 96(6) of Act No. 48 of 1978, concerning respectively the conditions of service of civilian workers in the public administration and the conditions of workers in the public sector, provide that these workers may be dismissed by decision of the President of the Republic in the specific cases laid down in a special Act concerning this subject, and that pending promulgation of such Act, cases of non-disciplinary dismissals are regulated by Act No. 10 of 1981. The Committee had asked the Government to indicate whether non-disciplinary dismissals were still regulated in the public sector by this Act and, if not, to state the texts which apply. The Committee notes the Government's statements that Act No. 10 concerns insurance and has nothing to do with public sector dismissals, that the special Act has still not been promulgated and that the President has never ordered dismissals under these circumstances. The Committee asks the Government to inform it in future reports of any use made of the Presidential discretion.

2. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government concerning the national employment policy in the context of the economic reform, the establishment and operation of the Social Development Fund, the work of placement services and the functions and organization of the Ministry of Manpower and Vocational Training. It notes, however, that this information concerns only texts of laws or general matters. The Committee would appreciate information of a more practical nature on the work of the above bodies, particularly the programmes of the Social Development Fund. In this connection, the Committee notes that the Ministry of Manpower and Vocational Training organizes research and practical studies on manpower planning and development and that particular importance is given to the establishment and development of training centres. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide examples of such studies, together with information on the application of the principles of non-discrimination in these areas.

3. The Committee also notes that Order No. 22 of 1980 contains a long list of jobs which are considered to be dangerous for health and morals or too arduous to be performed by women. Since, in the light of changes, some of these jobs may be regarded as no longer warranting the exclusion of women, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the measures taken or contemplated to review the list so that it does not unduly restrict equal opportunity and treatment for men and women in employment and occupation.

4. The Committee notes that article of the Constitution provides that women shall have the means to reconcile their duties towards the family with their work in society "without prejudice to the provisions of Islamic law". Since this raises the question of women's equal access to occupations, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on the practical effect of this provision.