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Unemployment Convention, 1919 (No. 2) - Egypt (RATIFICATION: 1954)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Measures to combat unemployment. The Government reports that it is taking measures across all sectors to increase employment rates and address the unemployment crisis. In particular, the Committee notes the Government’s focus on creating new job opportunities for young persons, both nationally and abroad, to increase youth employment rates and reduce youth unemployment. The Government adds that these objectives are at the forefront of its main policy goals. It indicates that progress has been achieved in this respect through consolidated cooperation with employers, national partners and civil society organizations, as well as through the employment offices of the Ministry of Manpower and its directorates, job fairs, the National Employment Bulletin, the Ministry’s website, external labour representation offices, recruitment agencies, individual contracts and electronic linking systems between the Ministry and the labour ministries in various Arab countries. The Committee notes withinterest that the general unemployment rate decreased in the first half of 2021, falling to 7.3 per cent of the total workforce from 9.9 per cent in 2018. In addition, the overall employment rate increased from 39 per cent to 42.2 per cent. The Committee notes, however, that the Government does not provide specific information on youth employment trends. The Government indicates that, in collaboration with the International Labour Office, it is developing a comprehensive national employment strategy. It adds that the strategy is being developed with the involvement of all ministries and relevant institutions, as well as employers’ and workers’ organizations, and is aimed at reducing unemployment nationally. With respect to the ratification of ILO instruments, the Government indicates that the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), are currently under discussion in the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information with respect to the nature and impact of measures taken to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. In addition, and noting the persistently high levels of youth unemployment in the country, the Committee requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information on the measures adopted to address youth unemployment and the impact of such measures, as well as on the challenges encountered in this respect. The Committee also reiterates its request that the Government provide statistical data on trends in youth employment, disaggregated by sex and age. It further requests the Government to keep the Office informed of the outcome of the tripartite discussions held in the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue with respect tothe possible ratification of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181).