Egypt’s Minister of Labour Hassan Raddad held high-level talks with Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, to strengthen bilateral cooperation on Labour and social development issues.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 356th session of the ILO Governing Body, currently being held in Geneva, with the participation of Alaa Hegazy, Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, along with officials from Egypt’s Ministry of Labour and its diplomatic mission.
At the start of the meeting, Minister Raddad expressed appreciation for Houngbo’s global efforts in advancing Labour issues, particularly in promoting social justice and launching a global alliance in this field.
He also praised the strong cooperation between Egypt and the ILO, especially through the organization’s Cairo office, highlighting its technical support in key areas such as Labour law discussions, implementation of executive regulations, combating the worst forms of child Labour, promoting trade union freedoms, and strengthening compliance with international Labour standards.
The minister outlined Egypt’s recent progress in Labour-related reforms, particularly in trade union freedoms, emphasizing that unions operate independently without administrative interference and retain the right to join higher-level union structures.
He noted that the government maintains equal distance from all unions, regardless of their type or geographic scope, and highlighted the role of the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue as an effective institutional platform ensuring balanced representation between workers, employers, and the government.
According to Raddad, the council’s updated legal framework grants it independent legal status and budget, enhancing its ability to support democratic dialogue and Labour stability.
During the talks, the minister stressed the importance of finalizing Egypt’s Decent Work Country Program, aligning it with national priorities to serve as a comprehensive framework for cooperation with the ILO.
He expressed hope that the program would receive direct backing from the organization’s leadership and translate into sustainable development projects.
Raddad also revealed that Egypt’s National Employment Strategy is nearing completion, developed in coordination with international and local experts and supported technically by the ILO. He emphasized Egypt’s interest in continued cooperation to implement the strategy and secure funding through joint development initiatives.
The discussions also touched on financial challenges facing the ILO due to unpaid contributions by some member states. The organization has introduced reform measures to reduce expenditures and address budget deficits.
Raddad reaffirmed Egypt’s support for policies that balance stakeholder interests while ensuring the ILO’s continued ability to deliver its services without compromising employee rights.
For his part, Houngbo expressed confidence in the minister’s technical expertise, noting that it would facilitate progress on complex Labour issues.
He also commended Egypt’s diplomatic mission in Geneva for its active coordination within the organization, emphasizing that Egypt plays a key leadership role at both the African and Arab levels.
Houngbo highlighted ongoing global Labour challenges, including child Labour and forced Labour, stressing the importance of continued collaboration with Egypt to address these issues.
Follow the latest news on Google News
