Celebrating Egypt's sustainable champions for formalization practices

Cairo, Egypt (ILO News)- In a remarkable ceremony, the ILO regional project (Social Dialogue for Formalization and Employability in the Southern Neighbourhood “SOLIFEM”), co-funded by the European Union, in collaboration with the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI), announced the winners of the "Recognising sustainable champions for formalization practices in Egypt" competition. This initiative honours companies that have successfully integrated formalization and sustainability into their core business operations.

The competition is based on the ILO’s “Guidance on Leveraging Sustainability Pathways to Accelerate Formalization,” developed through a collaborative approach, engaging 52 private sector companies across nine economic sectors. This initiative highlights the private sector’s crucial role in transitioning from the informal to the formal economy, promoting responsible business practices and fostering sustainable employment growth in Egypt.

“Formalization is a cornerstone of our mission at the ILO, as it opens doors for individuals and businesses to access social protection, education, and opportunities for growth. Today, we celebrate the champions whose efforts are paving the way for others to join the formal sector. Thank you for your commitment and inspiring example," said Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office and North Africa.

Among the 11 companies that applied, four were recognized for their exceptional initiatives (listed alphabetically):

• Beltone: Awarded for "Best Practices for Commitment to Inclusion"
• Orange: Awarded for "Best Practices for Economic Empowerment"
• Qalaa Holdings: Awarded for "Best Practices for Human Development"
• Telecom Egypt (WE): Awarded for "Best Practices for Employability and Skills"

During his speech at the awards ceremony, Dr. Khaled Abdel Azim, Executive Director of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, stated: "At the Federation of Egyptian Industries, we are proud of the private sector’s leading role in supporting the transition to the formal economy and providing inspiring models through various initiatives like Beltone’s training for people with disabilities, Orange’s empowerment of women through smart training centers, Qalaa Holdings’ support for secondary and university education, and WE’s focus on technical education.”

By recognizing the achievements of these companies, the ILO and the Federation of Egyptian Industries aim to inspire other businesses to embrace formalization and sustainability practices.