Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan announced, on Saturday, that his ministry’s Employees Emergency Fund is currently completing the disbursal of emergency aid to workers in sectors affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The disbursement amounts to EGP 317.9m granted to about 275,543 workers at 2,619 facilities affected by the pandemic.
The step comes in implementation of directives by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to see the disbursal of regular workers salaries in sectors affected by the global pandemic, with the most important being tourism.
The subsidy’s value represents 100% of the basic wage for regular workers, which is the limit that the employer has insured for them and that is fixed in insurance at a minimum of EGP 600.
Saafan stated that a total number of 3,356 applicants in the tourism, spinning, weaving, and other sectors have applied to benefit from the fund so far. There are 737 establishments whose data are being completed in preparation for aid disbursal.
The minister pointed out that for the public and private tourism sector, EGP 189.9m was disbursed to 183,515 workers in 2,450 establishments.
He added that more EGP 96.159m has been already provided to 72,927 workers in 78 establishments. in addition, about EGP 31.794m has also been granted to 19,101 workers in 91 private and public sector workplaces.
Saafan stressed that rules were issued for the disadvantaged sectors, especially for the tourism sector. This was undertaken in agreement between the ministries of manpower, tourism and antiquities, and planning and economic development during their last meeting on supporting the sector.
