Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Labour Administration Convention, 1978 (No. 150) - Egypt (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to the Committee’s previous request concerning the way in which it is ensured that parastatal agencies and regional and local agencies responsible for certain activities in the field of labour administration operate in accordance with national laws and regulations and adhere to the objectives assigned to them (Article 9 of the Convention).

Legislation. The Committee notes with interest from the information available in the Office, that the Government has requested ILO technical assistance which has been provided by the Office in the form of legislative comments on the 2014 draft Labour Law. It understands that a new Labour Law has been adopted in 2015. The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the revised Labour Law.

Article 7. Extension of the functions of the system of labour administration to workers who are not employed persons. The Committee previously noted the Government’s indication that members of cooperatives and self-managed enterprises, as well as persons working in systems established by custom and community traditions, are covered by the system of labour administration. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that certain services are available to workers in the informal economy, and that their protection will be strengthened following the legislative reforms. The Committee once again requests the Government to indicate the legal provisions and describe the practice in relation to the services provided by the labour administration to members of cooperatives and self-managed enterprises, persons working in systems established by custom and community traditions, and workers in the informal economy.

Application in practice. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided the requested general information on the application of the Convention. It therefore once again asks the Government to provide any general information considered useful on the manner in which the Convention is applied, for example by communicating extracts of any reports or other periodic information provided by the principal labour administration services, and referred to in Paragraph 20 of Recommendation No. 158. Please also provide information on any practical difficulties encountered in the application of the Convention.

Technical assistance project. The Committee notes the Government’s reference to the 2013–16 technical cooperation project “Promoting Worker Rights and Competitiveness in Egyptian Export Industries” which seeks to strengthen respect for labour standards and build productivity within export factories through: (i) building the capacity of the national inspectorate; (ii) supporting employers and their representatives to improve labour standards compliance and productivity; and (iii) building systems for social dialogue and worker representation within factories. It notes the Government’s information on the training provided in the framework of this project, including to 120 employees of the Ministry of Manpower and Migration. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in the framework of the abovementioned project, and their results on the organization and functioning of the labour administration.