Egypt’s New Labour Law Awaits Parliament: Minister

Egypt’s government has postponed issuing a controversial labour law so that it can pass through a parliament that is yet to be elected, Ashraf Salman, the minister of investments, said in a press conference on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Egypt’s administrative court ordered a halt to all preparations for parliamentary elections previously scheduled to start on 21 March, in accordance with Sunday’s Supreme Constitutional Court decision, which deemed part of the electoral laws to be unconstitutional.

Egypt has been without a parliament since the house of representatives elected in late 2011 was dissolved in June 2012, following a court ruling that judged the law regulating its election to be unconstitutional.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi holds legislative powers until an elected parliament convenes.

“We have not passed the labour law in the absence of a parliament, as it will influence the lives of millions of Egyptians,” Salman said.

The draft labour law has stirred controversy over issues such as workers’ right to organise and negotiate collectively, monitoring of the law’s implementation and minimum wage.

Source: Ahram Online