Promoting the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and Social Dialogue in Egypt

Geographical area of implementation: Egypt (all governorates)

Project background

The project is designed to assist the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt in undertaking labour reforms. Revised labour laws will establish rights consistent with ILO conventions concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining.

It supports tripartite constituents to bring national legislation in conformity with the ILO’s core conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

It provides support to the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration to build sound industrial relations and effective mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of labour conflicts.

The project also supports employers’ and workers’ organizations to upgrade their services, engage in constructive dialogue and negotiations and increase the national understanding of fundamental labour rights.

Objectives and expected outcomes

1. Workers and employers are more aware of their rights and obligations and are increasingly engaging in constructive dialogue and negotiations;
2. Independent, competent and representative employers’ and workers’ organizations are able to better represent and defend the interests of their members;
3. The Ministry of Manpower and Migration has a strengthened capacity to prevent and settle labour disputes;
4. Labour legislation is reformed and brought into conformity with ratified ILO conventions and the principles of the Declaration.

Implementation strategy

As a prerequisite for commencing activities related to labour law reform, a comprehensive plan will be undertaken to educate workers and employers and revitalize their organizations based on ILO conventions concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Upon completion of this plan, the project will support the tripartite constituents to reform labour legislation and bring it in conformity with ILO ratified conventions.

This plan includes the following activities:

1. Large scale education and awareness raising media campaign on ILO conventions concerning freedom of association and collective bargaining;
2. Comprehensive capacity-building programme for workers at district and enterprise level;
3. Intensive programme to “emerging trade union leaders” with the aim of developing a knowledgeable and skilled base of workers who can advance the objectives of decent work;
4. Comprehensive capacity-building programme to build an alliance of employers that are keen on championing decent work and social dialogue;
5. Programme with business alliance to raise the awareness of as many as employers as possible regarding the benefits of establishing a constructive dialogue and relationship with workers and their representatives;
6. Review of mandates, constitutions, and organizations structures of employers’ and workers’ organizations;
7. Intensive capacity-building programme for the Ministry of Manpower and Migration to better prevent and settle labour disputes;
8. Intensive support for the tripartite constituents to reform labour legislations.

Implementing partners

• Ministry of Manpower and Migration
• Employers’ organizations
• Workers’ organizations

Target groups

The primary target group will be the leadership and decision makers in the Ministry of Manpower and Migration, and the leadership, senior members and staff of employers and workers’ organizations engaged at national, provincial and district levels.

The project will also work with members of the parliament and other ministries when necessary and civil society organizations.