Egypt’s emergency labour fund spends EGP 213 mln on wage support since May 2025

Egypt’s Worker Emergency Relief Fund disbursed 213 million Egyptian pounds in wage support between May 2025 and mid-April 2026, as the state continues efforts to cushion workers in companies facing temporary economic distress, the Labour Ministry said Tuesday.

The fund, which has operated since 2002, has now spent a total of 2.520 billion pounds supporting workers in establishments affected by financial or operational challenges, according to the ministry.

Chaired by Labour Minister Hassan Raddad, the fund provides emergency wage assistance to preserve employment levels and maintain continuity in affected firms. The mechanism is designed to stabilise labour conditions while allowing companies time to recover from economic shocks.

Raddad said the support programme reflects directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to expand social protection coverage for workers and ensure rapid intervention in companies under stress, enabling them to resume normal production activities.

The ministry said disbursements are carried out under regulated criteria set out in the fund’s executive bylaws, which govern eligibility, monitoring, and payment mechanisms to ensure a balance between worker protection and business stability.

The fund continues to serve as a key policy tool for mitigating labour market disruptions during periods of economic pressure, while supporting broader efforts to sustain production and employment.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English