Up to 1.2 million irregular workers have registered via the Ministry of Manpower’s electronic system, Minister Mohamed Saafan revealed on Sunday.
Saafan added that he is closely following the registration process, which started last week through the ministry’s website.
The minister said the move allows the government to help irregular workers lift the burden on their shoulders in light of the current circumstances due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Saafan emphasised that it comes as part of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s interest in the workforce, and the comprehensive state plan to protect irregular employees from coronavirus-related repercussions.
Concerns are increasing over the fate of millions of irregular workers and underprivileged Egyptians, as they would be the most affected should the coronavirus spread widely in Egypt
Mostafa Obada, Director General of the General Administration for Irregular Employment at the Ministry of Manpower, said there are directives from the minister to include all categories of irregular and regular employment within the ministry’s database.
He added that an application was designed and uploaded to the information centre website affiliated with the ministry relating to worker registration. .
Obada also said that this is part of the ministry’s drive to adopt all categories of irregular employment in the coming period. He added that the ministry does not receive fees from worker upon their registration.
Obada said that the registration is electronic to avoid workers coming in person, and to curb coronavirus infections. He added that a large number of workers have already registered on the Ministry of Manpower database.
Obada highlighted that irregular employment constitutes 60% of Egypt’s workforce, and described them as “Egypt wealth.”
He further emphasised that irregular employment departments were established in 2005, with a qualitative shift taking place in the past three years exceeding that of the previous ten years. He attributed this to rapid intervention and raising care services.
Saafan had previously decided to pay an exceptional grant for irregular workers affected by the coronavirus crisis, amounting to EGP 500 per person. Steps were also taken to record data for irregular workers not registered with the ministry.
