Monday, 25 May 2026
Sisi unveils new worker benefits on Labour Day
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Thursday announced measures to support Egypt’s informal workers, including a temporary monthly grant and higher compensation for workplace deaths, during a Labour Day celebration at a rail manufacturing plant.
Speaking at the Egyptian National Railways Industries Company (NERIC) in the Suez Canal Economic Zone east of Port Said, Sisi said an “exceptional grant” of 1,500 Egyptian pounds (about $30) per month would be paid for three months from May to July 2026 to irregular workers registered with the labour ministry.
He also ordered exemptions for some categories of informal workers from fees for skills assessment certificates and occupational licences, as part of efforts to integrate them into the formal economy and extend social protection.
Sisi said compensation for deaths in workplace accidents would rise to 300,000 pounds, from 200,000 pounds, while compensation for partial or total disability would be increased in line with the degree of disability.
Among other announcements, the president said the government would launch a labour market platform to boost employment at home and abroad and support youth skills development.
He also directed the creation of two permanent committees: one bringing together the ministries responsible for labour, industry, investment, trade and planning to assess labour market needs; and another linking labour with education and higher education to align training outputs with market demand.
Sisi said Egypt’s unemployment rate had fallen to 6.2 percent despite regional and global pressures, adding that the government and private sector were working to create new jobs.
In longer-term development plans, he said Egypt was working to reclaim 4.5 million feddans of land under the New Delta project and other schemes, and to add 450,000 feddans in Sinai, citing the Bahr al-Baqar water treatment plant and related infrastructure.
The presidency said the event was attended by senior officials including parliamentary leaders, the prime minister and key ministers. Sisi also inaugurated four projects by video link: electricity substations in Zagazig (Sharqia) and Rawafea Rashid (Giza), as well as the Bulaq al-Dakrour General Hospital (Giza) and Toukh Central Hospital (Qalyubia). He later toured the NERIC facility and inspected a metro carriage assembled at the plant.