The number of irregular workers registered in the Ministry of Manpower’s electronic database increased to 1.3 million, according to a ministry statement on Monday.
Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan said he is closely following the registration process of the new labourers via the online system.
Saafan added that the ministry is scrutinising the workers’ data in preparation for their possible sponsorship. Two weeks ago, the ministry announced the provision of exceptional aid worth EGP 500 per person for irregular workers who are already registered in the ministry’s database.
The move comes to alleviate the burden on them in the current exceptional conditions, and comes in cooperation with the Cabinet, Ministry of Social Solidarity and other related bodies.
Meanwhile, Safaan confirmed support for irregular workers comes as part of the comprehensive state plan to protect them from the fallout due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The ongoing support comes as part of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s consideration for this segment.
There are different estimates regarding the numbers of informal and irregular workers in Egypt. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the number of people who depend on intermittent work was roughly 4.3 million in the third quarter of 2019.
Earlier this month, Saafan said that there are over 10 million irregular workers in Egypt.
In a previous press statement, MP and General Secretary of Egyptian Trade Union Federation Mohamed Wahb–Allah said that 14.5 million out of 29.5 million labourers in Egypt are uninsured.
