Farmers check grain seeds as they harvest wheat crop in 6 October village in the Nile Delta province of Al-Baheira, northwest of Cairo (Photo: REUTERS)
Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Thursday ratified two laws concerning agricultural and farmers' health insurance, state news agency MENA reported.
The first law orders the forming of an agricultural insurance fund to cover damage caused by natural disasters and insects. The law aims to achieve sustainable agricultural development and maintain income levels.
The fund will come from several sources, including a portion of the yearly budget, donations and profits from the fund's investments.
The second bill regulates health insurance for farmers and agricultural workers, uninsured otherwise.
The announcement of the two laws comes on the country's national day for farmers. El-Sisi holds legislative powers until parliament is elected in upcoming polls.
Egypt's constitution says the state must establish a comprehensive health insurance system and ensure that "social insurance services are provided … in a manner that provides a decent life."
According to official figures from this year, more than 50 million Egyptians are currently under the health insurance system. Farmers are not included in this estimate.
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