The measures, aimed at improving working conditions and expanding social protection, include a monthly EGP 1,500 allowance for irregular workers registered with the Ministry of Labour for three months from May to July 2026.
They also include exemptions for some categories from skills certification and professional licensing fees, as well as an increase in compensation for work-related deaths from EGP 200,000 to EGP 300,000, with corresponding increases for disability cases.
The announcements were made during an official ceremony at the NERIC facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, attended by senior officials, ministers, military leaders, parliament members, governors, and trade union representatives, highlighting the state’s focus on labour-intensive industrial development and job creation.
A documentary titled “Makers of the Present and Builders of the Future” highlighted the Ministry of Labour’s efforts and broader government initiatives to support Egyptian workers and expand employment opportunities.
El-Sisi also inaugurated four infrastructure and service projects via video conference: the Zagazig electricity transformer station in Sharqiya, the Rashid (2) lifting station transformer facility, Bulaq El-Dakrour General Hospital in Giza, and Toukh Central Hospital in Qalyubia, projects aimed at strengthening power supply and expanding healthcare capacity.
A separate documentary showcased the NERIC factory’s role in advancing domestic rail manufacturing, followed by a speech by Transport Minister Kamel Al-Wazir.
In his remarks, El-Sisi said Egyptian workers remain the cornerstone of national development, stressing that ongoing major projects and economic reforms would not have been possible without the national workforce.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to localizing industry, describing the “Made in Egypt” label as a strategic objective to build a resilient economy, safeguard national security, optimize resource usage, and create sustainable employment.
The president also directed the launch of a national labour market platform to boost employment domestically and abroad and enhance workforce skills in line with market demand.
He directed the formation of permanent inter-ministerial committees bringing together the labour, industry, investment, planning, education, and higher education sectors to better align education and vocational training with labour market requirements, with regular reporting on progress.
El-Sisi said Egypt’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.2 percent despite regional and global challenges, noting that about 60 to 65 percent of the population is under 40, which places continued pressure on the labour market.
He added that the government is working with the private sector to create new job opportunities across sectors, particularly in agriculture and industry, and to integrate both formal and informal employment into the economy.
He added that Egypt aims to reclaim 4.5 million feddans under the New Delta and Mostaqbal Misr projects, alongside an additional 450,000 feddans in Sinai, supported by major infrastructure developments such as the Bahr El-Baqar water treatment plant, as part of efforts to expand the agricultural base and absorb a growing workforce.
The Labour Day event also highlighted efforts to localize transport manufacturing, as El-Sisi inspected a metro carriage assembled at the NERIC plant, one of the flagship projects aimed at building domestic capacity in railway and metro manufacturing and reducing imports.
He received a detailed briefing on manufacturing and assembly stages during a tour of the facility.
The president concluded the visit by taking commemorative photos with workers and company officials in recognition of their role in supporting industrial and economic development.
NERIC is a state-backed industrial project established to localize railway manufacturing and reduce imports, forming a key part of Egypt’s strategy to develop domestic heavy industry.
The company operates within the Suez Canal Economic Zone in East Port Said, a location designed to integrate manufacturing with export-oriented logistics and global supply chains.
The company’s core mandate is the production, assembly, and maintenance of railway rolling stock, including metro cars, passenger rail coaches, and potentially freight wagons, alongside the localization of key components and supply chains over time.
Short link: