Hassan Raddad, Egypt’s Minister of Labor, issued Ministerial Decree, regulating the employment and training of children and prohibiting their work in hazardous occupations. The decree aims to strengthen legal protection for children in line with the Egyptian Constitution, the Labor Law, and relevant international conventions and standards.
The decree prohibits the employment of children who have not completed basic education or who are under the age of 15, while allowing vocational training from age 14 under strict safeguards to protect their health and ensure their education is not adversely affected.
Children permitted to work may work up to six hours per day, with no overtime, and are prohibited from working during weekly rest days, public holidays, or at night (from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM).
The decree provides a detailed list of hazardous jobs that children are absolutely forbidden to perform. These include mining and quarrying, certain roles in asphalt and textile industries, and handling chemicals or hazardous waste.
It also establishes weight limits and load restrictions appropriate to children’s physical capacity to ensure a safe working environment.
The Ministry of Labor stated that the decree is part of broader efforts to enhance social protection for children, prevent economic exploitation, and provide a safe and regulated work environment.
It also underscores the ministry’s commitment to balancing economic development with the protection of vulnerable groups, promoting decent work, and safeguarding children’s rights to education and healthy growth.
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