All ILO Newsroom content

February 2013

1. 

   Cooperatives

   Egypt’s farmers: Sowing the seeds of an agricultural revolution

   07 February 2013

   Agriculture will be critical to future economic growth in Egypt, says the ILO – but only if the laws on farmers’ co-ops are reformed.

January 2012

1. 

   Video interview

   North Africa Employment Trends 2012 - An Interview with Dorothea Schmidt

   24 January 2012

   ILO TV interviews Dorothea Schmidt, a Senior ILO Employment Specialist based in Cairo, about rising unemployment across North Africa and the impact it is having in particular on young people and women. Based on findings from the ILO's Global Employment Trends 2012 report, she also discusses the lack of productive growth in North Africa and the need for further development of labour market institutions such as public employment services. Despite short-term negative effects on North African economies, Ms. Schmidt describes the ILO's hope that the Arab Spring of 2011 will have a positive impact on labour markets in the long-term.

July 2011

1. 

   Article

   Questions and answers on the ILO response to challenges in the Arab World

   08 July 2011

   On 8 July 2011, the International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted a meeting on “The Arab World, Towards a New Era of Social Justice”, which brought together representatives of countries from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the international community, donors and ILO constituents. A background paper entitled “Challenges in the Arab world: an ILO response” on the ILO’s strategy and response was the basis for the discussions. It provides figures and trends on the employment situation and answers a series of questions around creating decent work opportunities in the region. A series of concept notes was also presented, covering areas where the MENA countries have requested ILO assistance. ILO is developing work in the MENA countries and seeks additional funding for some of these programmes.

June 2011

1. 

   Video

   Egyptian Finance Minister Samir Radwan at the International Labour Conference: Fiscal Discipline and Social Justice in a New Egypt

   13 June 2011

   In his opening remarks to the High Level Panel on 'Employment and Social Justice in a Globalizing Economy', Egyptian Finance Minister Samir Radwan expressed his hopes for post-revolutionary Egypt. He called for responsive economic policies to promote decent work, sustainable development, social protection, and small and medium-sized entreprises.

March 2011

1. 

   Video interview

   Interview with H.E. Dr Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt

   22 March 2011

   ILO TV interviewed H.E. Dr Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt about the recent declaration guaranteeing the rights of all Egyptian trade unions to be registered and freely pursue their legitimate activities. He expressed his interest in looking at how social protection measures, skills training and the development of a minimum wage could help tackle unemployment and fight poverty in Egypt. (in French)

2. 

   Video

   The Egyptian Revolution as a Model for Peaceful Change (in Arabic)

   21 March 2011

   H.E. Dr. Ahmed El-Borai, Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt, spoke to the ILO Governing Body in a high-level discussion on Challenges and Change in the Arab World. He thanked the ILO Director-General for his support and for coming to Egypt to join in their declaration for trade union freedom. He described the Egyptian revolution as a model for "peaceful and rational changes in the region and the whole world" and as the inception of a new development process leading to a better future based on freedom, dignity and social justice. Other participants in the debate included Mr. Habib Yousfi, President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises (CGEA); and Mr. Abdessalem Jerad, General Secretary of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT).

3. 

   Video

   Director-General Juan Somavia Voices the ILO's Commitment to the Process of Transition in Egypt

   14 March 2011

   Mr. Juan Somavia, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), concluding an official visit to Egypt, expressed ILO support for the establishment of freedom of association and other labour market and economic reforms in the country. On the last day of his visit Mr. Juan Somavia met with the Prime Minister, Mr. Essam Sharaf and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Samir Radwan, and visited Tahrir Square.

4. 

   Press Briefing

   Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Migration issued statement granting Freedom of Association in Egypt

   12 March 2011

   In an official statement, the Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Migration, H.E. Mr. Ahmed El Borai, announced that freedom of association, which guarantees that all trade unions will be registered and can freely pursue their legitimate activities will be recognised in Egypt. (In Arabic)

5. 

   Press Conference

   ILO Welcomes Egyptian Statement on Freedom of Association

   12 March 2011

   During an official visit to Egypt, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr. Juan Somavia, welcomed the statement of the Minister of Manpower and Migration of Egypt, H.E Dr. Ahmed El Borai on trade union rights. The Director-General was in Cairo at the invitation of the government to examine the labour and social situation of the country and the manner in which the ILO can best provide support and assistance during the transitional period and beyond.