The Egyptian Center Presents Its Observations on the New Labor Law Draft Based on the Latest Parliamentary Version

The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights has put forward its observations on the new labor law draft, which aims to amend Law No. 12 of 2003. This draft, submitted by the government, is currently under discussion in Parliament.

The center highlights that while the new labor law draft is intended to reform labor relations in Egypt, it falls short of achieving the necessary balance between workers’ rights and employers’ interests. Despite some improvements—particularly regarding women’s rights—the draft fails to provide sufficient protections for workers.

Furthermore, the center asserts that the draft’s provisions inherently favor employers by reducing their obligations toward workers while lacking adequate safeguards for job security and employment stability. Key concerns include the fundamental principles governing employment contracts, their contractual nature, termination procedures, workers’ rights in cases of both consensual and arbitrary dismissal, litigation procedures and their timeframes, and the extent to which the draft upholds workers’ constitutional right to peaceful strikes. These shortcomings necessitate a thorough review and revision of the draft’s provisions.

Additionally, the draft law lacks effective mechanisms to secure workers’ rights, particularly given the absence of clear and comprehensive employment contracts for many private sector workers. Consequently, the center finds that the draft fails to meet the aspirations of the Egyptian working class and does not reflect the desired social balance, making it imperative to reconsider its provisions to ensure fairness and robust labor protections.

For years, Egyptian workers have sought a new law that would rectify the shortcomings of previous legislation. However, the provisions of the current draft have yet to meet these expectations.

Based on the available draft, a team of the center’s lawyers has meticulously analyzed its provisions, highlighting its deficiencies through a comparative table between the existing Law No. 12 of 2003 and the current draft. This analysis aims to benefit stakeholders, legal experts, and decision-makers within legislative and executive bodies, emphasizing the need to foster participatory social dialogue as a fundamental tool for ensuring the coherence and legitimacy of social and economic policies.

To access the full observations, click here: