Creating a Conducive Environment for the Effective Recognition and Implementation of Fundamental Principles and Rights at work in Egypt

Geographical area of implementation: Egypt (all governorates)

Project Background

The project has been developed based on priorities and the needs expressed by the Ministry of Manpower and Migration (MoMM) and International Labour Organization (ILO) constituents. It is designed to support MoMM in its efforts to provide greater freedom of association to Egyptian social partners and improve collective bargaining at the local level. By addressing these rights, it aims to improve the policies of working women and enhance vulnerable women inclusion in labour market.

The overall objective of the project is to promote freedom of association and collective bargaining in general with particular focus on promoting women’s fundamental rights and employment opportunities, through policy support and direct interventions at the national, local and individual levels.

Objectives and expected outcomes

• Expand awareness and understanding of fundamental principles and rights at work and their linkages with democracy and sustainable development.
• Enhance the capacity of labour officers to promote and implement fundamental rights at work and sound industrial relations.
• Enhance the institutional capacity of independent unions and employers’ organizations to effectively exercise the rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining.
• Improve the rights and policy environment for women in Egypt.
• Provide vulnerable groups of women with skills that will increase their employability and assist them in finding decent job opportunities.
• Enable women to create and run their own enterprises.

Implementation strategy

The project implementation strategy consists in two approaches:

The first is to implement a comprehensive programme to educate workers and employers and revitalize their organizations based on ILO Conventions concerning Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining, and to enhance the Ministry capacity to promote and implement fundamental rights at work and sound industrial relations.

The second approach is to empower women economically as well as socially by promoting their fundamental rights and stimulating employment growth and improving employability.

The former will lead to social empowerment, while the latter will increase women’s economic independence. The result of both processes will be mutual reinforcement.

Implementing partners

• The Ministry of Manpower and Migration (MoMM)
• Employers’ organizations
• Workers’ organizations
• Senior management and officials of the MoMM and institutions responsible for employment creation, training and skills development
• Non-governmental organizations
• Government policy makers as appropriate

Target groups

1. The primary target group will be the leadership and decision makers in the Ministry of Manpower and Migration, and the leadership and senior members and staff of employers' and workers’ organizations who are engaged at national, provincial and district levels.
2. Unemployed and employed women in Egypt:

• Rural women
• Young vulnerable women (aged 15-30),
• Adult vulnerable women (aged 35 and above).
• The project will also work with members of the Parliament and other ministries as deemed necessary.