Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Egypt (Ratification: 1982)

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Article 1(1–4) of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Government indicates that, as per section 132 of the Labour Code (No. 12 of 2003), the Supreme Council for Human Resources Development presides over drawing up the national policy for human development. The Supreme Council for Human Resources Development is also responsible for setting a national programme for the implementation of the national policy, in collaboration with the competent authorities and ministries, such as the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) and the Ministry of Education and Technical Education (MoETE). The Government adds that the Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Human Resources Development is in charge of facilitating the collaboration between the governates in order to enhance human resources development at a local level. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated information on the concrete measures taken by these bodies to effectively coordinate and closely link the national policies and programmes of vocational guidance and training with employment, in particular through public employment services, as well as information on their impact in relation to securing access to and retention of lasting employment.

Regarding the number of participants in the different governmental vocational guidance and training programmes previously requested by the Committee, the Government reports that: (i) 3,180 persons (2,242 women and 938 men ) from 18 to 40 years of age participated in the transformational training programme; (ii) 118 persons (90 women and 28 men) between 14 and 18 years old participated in the vocational training programmes; and (iii) 6,000 men in the 14–18 age group participated in the vocational on-the-job training programme. Regarding their impact, the Government indicates that 1,320,000 certificates of skill proficiency have been awarded and that many participants have started their own businesses. The Government adds that the MoM is working on studies on the impact of vocational guidance and training programmes on employment access and stability. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated and detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age, sex and region, on the number of participants to the different vocational guidance and training programmes made available by the Government.

Articles 1(5) and 3(1). Equality of access to vocational guidance and training programmes. With reference to its previous comments on how effective access to vocational guidance and training is secured for all workers, including older workers, long-term unemployed individuals, and disadvantaged groups, the Government refers to the “Egypt Is More Beautiful With You” initiative, launched in 2018, which focuses on training and creating job opportunities for persons with disabilities, based on their qualifications and considering the needs of the labour market. The first phase of this initiative was concluded in 2019 and activities for the second phase have been initiated with the aim of accommodating a larger number of persons. While duly noting the above information, the Committee observes that the report lacks information on measures taken to promote effective access to vocational guidance and training for older workers, the long-term unemployed and persons belonging to disadvantaged groups who may require upskilling or reskilling. The Committee therefore asks the Government to supply information in this respect, together with updated information on progress made in ensuring effective access to vocational guidance, training, and lifelong learning for persons with disability. Furthermore, noting that, in 2021, an ILO study conducted in Egypt was dedicated to “ Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) mapping for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities”,the Committee invites the Government to provide information on the way in which it is taking into account the recommendations of the ILO in the 2021 study on “TVET mapping for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities”.

Rural areas. The Government indicates that it is committed to enhancing effective access to vocational guidance and training facilities in rural areas. There are currently 72 training facilities across Egypt, including 27 mobile training units. Under the Decent Life Initiative, these units are distributed to villages and hamlets across the country and three training courses are held monthly in every village. In support of this initiative, the MoM has successfully completed a programme to renovate and upgrade the capacity of the mobile units. To encourage young men and women to take up training, the three top participants in each training course are awarded a sewing machine and a plumbing or electrical toolkit. With regard to empowerment projects and employment support provided to women in rural areas, the Government indicates that several programmes are implemented, such as Rural Women’s Development (7,745 participants across 218 villages), Women’s Training in Development and Population (5,557 participants across 110 villages), Women’s Training in Basic Life Skills (3,053 participants across 78 villages), Developing Women’s Role in Food Production (3,283 participants across 49 villages), Women’s Initiatives (1,960 participants across 16 villages). The Committee notes this information with interest and requests the Government to continue providing information on the manner in which it ensures effective access to vocational guidance, training, and lifelong learning for persons living in rural areas characterized by limited access to training. The Government is also invited to continue providing information on the empowerment projects and employment support provided to women in rural areas. The Committee further invites the Government to provide information, including statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, on the unemployment rates in the rural areas of Egypt and on the impact of the vocational guidance and training thereon.

Youth employment and training. With respect to the results achieved with regard to vocational training and guidance in the context of youth employment, the Government reports that it is working on expanding the vocational guidance and training programmes for young people to include trainings relating to skills that would make it easier for them to secure job opportunities in Egypt and abroad. In the absence in the report of statistical data on youth unemployment rates, the Committee notes that, according to available ILOSTAT data, the youth unemployment rate in 2021 was 17.6 per cent. Although this figure represents a substantial decrease in youth unemployment compared with 2017 (when it was 29.6 per cent), the Committee observes that it remains more than twice as high as the overall unemployment rate in Egypt. The Committee therefore requests the Government to continue to inform on measures taken to improve the vocational guidance and training programmes for young people, in particular through employment services, taking into account employment needs and opportunities in the country. Furthermore, the Committee invites the Government to provide updated and detailed information, including statistical data, disaggregated by sex and region, on youth employment rates and the impact of the vocational guidance and training thereon.

Women in employment and training. With reference to the measures taken to ensure equal access of girls and women to vocational guidance and training relevant to all economic sectors, the vocational guidance and training programmes are offered to both men and women in training centres, with women making up 70 per cent of graduates. Vocational guidance for women includes programmes tailored to their skills, such as dressmaking, sewing, knitting, arabesque work, weaving carpets and rugs, leather work and domestic appliance maintenance. The Committee notes once again that the vocational training provided for women reflect, in large part, traditional female occupations. In this regard, the Committee notes the 2021 concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW/C/EGY/CO/8-10), in which it recommended that Egypt “address discriminatory stereotypes and structural barriers that may deter women and girls from enrolling in traditionally male-dominated fields of study and career paths, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and information and communications technology education, and ensure that they have equal access to technical and vocational education and training, including in non-traditional fields” (paragraph 34(b)). Regarding vocational guidance tests and their role in ensuring equal access to vocational guidance, the Government indicates that it is developing tests that assess competencies for different occupations without regard to gender. Regarding the projects implemented with the assistance of the ILO to support women’s employment, the Government mentions the Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work for Women in Egypt, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territory project, as well as the Decent Work for Women in Egypt and Tunisia programme. With regard to the Gender Equality Unit of the MoM, created to achieve gender equality in the work place and assist women in achieving a balance between work and family responsibilities, the Government reports that it holds monthly workshops which cover topics such as gender equality and the importance of women’s work in rural areas. The Gender Equality Unit also provides resources to women in entrepreneurship. Further, the Government does not provide information on the trends in women’s employment. The Committee notes that, according to ILOSTAT data for 2021, unemployment rates for women are almost three times that of men (16.1 per cent and 5.6 per cent, respectively). Moreover, the share of women in senior and middle management positions in 2021 was at 20.5 per cent. The Committee takes due not of the above information concerning the promotion of women’s participation in the labour market. It reiterates its request that the Government provide information on the practical impact of the above measures demonstrating how they have improved girls’ and women’s access to vocational guidance and training, including in non-traditional fields.The Committee further requests the Government to provide updated and more detailed information on the vocational guidance tests used and their contribution to ensuring access to vocational guidance, without discrimination. The Committee also reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed information on the results of the projects implemented with the assistance of the ILO to support women’s employment, as well as to provide information on the impact of the work of the Gender Equality Unit on the promotion of gender equality in employment. In addition, the Committee reiterates its request that the Government provide detailed updated information on trends in women’s employment, including rates of employment, unemployment, visible underemployment and middle to senior management positions, and the impact of the vocational guidance and training thereon.

Article 3(2–3). Information and documentation for vocational guidance. As regards the impact of the measures taken to raise awareness of the benefits of vocational guidance and training, the Government reiterates that, based on research carried out by the MoM, these measures have led to an increase in the number of graduates and beneficiaries at the training centres. With regard to the documentation available for vocational guidance and the manner in which such information is kept up to date, the Government reports that experts in the field of technical training and industry have developed 36 technology-focused training curricula that are aligned with contemporary technology and skills requirements. The Government adds that the MoM oversees training programmes conducted by private-sector companies that are licensed to provide training. Furthermore, the MoM has activated the training and rehabilitation fund to finance the creation, development, and improvement of training programmes to align with the needs of the labour market. The Committee takes due note of this information and requests the Government to provide information, including statistical data, on the impact of the measures aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of vocational guidance and training.

Article 5. Cooperation of employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government provides information on measures illustrating ongoing collaboration with the social partners on matters related to vocation guidance and training. For instance, the Government indicates that representatives of employers and workers participated in the creation and implementation of vocational training programmes. With regard to the national strategy for vocational education and training, the Government reports that it is implemented through coordination among multiple ministries and in collaboration with private training centres and institutes. The Committee notes, however, that the report does not provide information on the manner or extent to which the social partners are engaged in formulating the national strategy for vocational education and training. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which the social partners are involved in relation to the matters covered by the Convention. The Committee reiterates once again its request that the Government provide information on the involvement of the social partners in the formulation and implementation of the national strategy for vocational education and training.