Review of national policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, and practice in Egypt

This report aims to provide an understanding of the current policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks and practice in Egypt in relation to the access of refugees to the labour markets, employment, livelihood and training opportunities, including self-employment and business development, the rights at work, including social protection and freedom of association.

The report reviewed national legislature, policy documents, datasets and grey literature to establish the legal basis for refugees’ access to work and their rights at work. Findings from the literature review were verified and triangulated with field work to establish how the laws are understood and implemented in practice. Field work lasted from November 2021 to January 2022 and included key informant interviews with stakeholders in government, private sector, humanitarian and UN agencies, and focus group discussions with refugees and host communities in three Egyptian governorates, namely Giza, Alexandria and Damietta.

The report will guide implementation of PROSPECTS Partnership activities and would feed into the design of integrated interventions that promote decent work for refugees and host communities in Egypt. It would further inform the policy dialogue on the access of refugees to the labour markets and its recommendations.

It is undertaken in conjunction with similar baselines drawn up in Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.