Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Egypt (Ratification: 1958)

Incidence of compulsory prison labour on the application of Article 1 of the Convention. The Committee recalls that, according to sections 16 and 20 of the Penal Code, persons sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year or more are required to perform work, either inside or outside the prison. Furthermore, according to section 24 of Law No. 396 of 1956 on Prison Regulations, persons sentenced to simple imprisonment (not exceeding one year) may not be required to work, unless they so wish. 

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that Law No. 396 of 1956 on Prison Regulations, as amended by Law No. 14 of 2022, has been renamed the “Regulation of Reformatory and Community Rehabilitation Centres”. The Government indicates in its report that the work provided for under sections 16 and 20 of the Penal Code does not constitute forced or compulsory labour within the meaning of the Convention, but rather work performed by the convicted person in return for material compensation and carried out at specific times. Prisoners may choose the type of work or occupation they wish to undertake, and they receive training to develop their skills in the chosen occupation.

The Committee takes due note of this information. Nevertheless, the Committee recalls that compulsory prison labour, even when used as a means of reintegration, has an impact on the observance of the Convention when it is imposed in one of the situations listed in Article 1 of the Convention. If a person is compelled to work, for example in the form of prison labour, for expressing certain political views, opposing the established political, social or economic system or participating in a strike, such compulsory labour falls within the scope of the Convention. 

Article 1(a). Penal sanctions involving compulsory labour as a punishment for holding or expressing political views, or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. The Committee has been referring to the following sections of the Penal Code, which provide sentences of imprisonment involving compulsory prison labour:

• section 98(a)bis and 98 (d) prohibit the establishment, organization or management of any association, body or group, whose purpose is to oppose the fundamental principles of the State’s socialist system, incite hatred or contempt towards it, call against the alliance of the working forces of the people, or incite resistance to public authorities (penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment):
• section 98(b) and (b) bis prohibit any person from possessing or acquiring documents, printed matter, or means of publication intended for distribution that advocate or promote doctrines or organizations aimed at opposing the principles of the State (penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment);
• section 102 bis regarding the dissemination or possession of means for the dissemination of news or information, false or tendentious rumours, or revolutionary propaganda which may harm public security, spread panic among the people or prejudice the public interest (penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment);
• section 174 concerning advocacy of certain doctrine (penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment);
• section 178 regarding the production or possession with a view to the distribution, sale, etc. of any images which may prejudice the reputation of the country by being contrary to the truth, giving an inexact description, or emphasizing aspects which are not appropriate (penalty of imprisonment of up to 5 years); and
• section 188 concerning the dissemination of false news which may harm the public interest (penalty of imprisonment ranging from three months to one year).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that offences under sections 98(b), 98(b)bis and 174 of the Penal Code shall be punished with imprisonment only when they involve the use of force, violence, or terrorism. While noting that section 98(a)bis and section 98(b) criminalize the propagation of doctrines contrary to the principle of the State’s socialist system when violence is used, the Committee observes that the provisions under sections 98(b)bis and 174 of the Penal Code do not refer to the use of force or violence and establish penalties of imprisonment for their violation.

The Committee also observes that infringement of section 102bis as well as infringement of section 188 are punishable by a term of imprisonment ranging from three months to one year, which therefore does not involve compulsory prison labour.

The Committee recalls that under Article 1(a) of the Convention, persons who, without recourse to violence, hold or express political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system, must not be subject to punishments that would require them to work, including in compulsory prison labour. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to review sections 98 (b)bis, 174 and 178 of the Penal Code, either by clearly restricting the scope of these provisions to situations connected with the use of violence or incitement to violence, or by repealing penalties involving compulsory labour. In the meantime, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application in practice of the above sections of the Penal Code, particularly the number of prosecutions initiated and the penalties imposed, as well as a description of the facts that gave rise to the convictions.

Act No. 70 of 2017 on Associations and other Foundations in the field of Civil Work. The Committee notes the Government’s information that Law No.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government.