Cairo International Airport will receive three exceptional flights, carrying 601 Egyptians stranded in the US, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, on Saturday.
The exceptional flights come as international travel remain suspended at Egyptian airports until July, due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The passengers underwent medical examinations, including temperature tests, upon arrival at Cairo Airport, under the supervision of the airport’s Director of Quarantine. They have been allowed to leave to undertake the 14-day isolation period at home.
On Friday, Cairo International Airport received eight extraordinary flights containing 1,510 Egyptians stranded in Saudi Arabia, Italy, and London.
A working group has been formed from the Ministry of State for Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. The group will create an inventory of returnees’ data.
Returnees were requested to fill a form, in which the state will gather their data to help them gain employment on national projects. The returnees will also be able to receive support through the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), or at the available investment vessels.
The move aims to find jobs to those returning from abroad. Those who have had their contracts terminated due to the coronavirus are also covered by the two ministries’ cooperation.
In a statement on Saturday, Nabila Makram, Minister of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs, said that a committee has been formed to study the qualifications of those Egyptians returning home.
She noted that data shows repatriated Egyptians come from 23 governorates, with the highest number coming from Sohag and other governorates in Upper Egypt.
Data also showed that the returnees are from a diverse range of age groups, with those aged 19-40 the highest. The 40-50 age group also featured significantly, with only a small percentage aged over 50 years.
Makram added that the committee has found returnees possess a variety of qualifications and specialisations.
Most have at least a preparatory school certificate, with others having secondary school certificates or BA degrees. Many returnees are coming from Kuwait, the UAE, Sudan, with small proportions distributed among other GCC countries.
The collected data will be used to enable the state to absorb returning Egyptians into the workforce, and provide them with real opportunities. It is expected that the local economy will benefit from the manpower and labour, with returnees involved in the country’s development process, the minister said.
Makram added that workers data is important in providing the right opportunities for their reintegration into sustainable development efforts as part of the government’s Vision 2030.
She stressed that the state has undertaken much effort to evacuate such a large number of Egyptians stranded abroad, especially those in the GCC, in such a short time.
On 14 June, Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Manar Enaba announced the resumption of air traffic at all Egyptian airports starting from the beginning of July. The announcement was made in accordance with specific preventive and precautionary measures.
