Egyptian government joins the Global Coalition for Social Justice

Cairo, Egypt (ILO News)- Egypt, represented by the Ministry of Labour, has officially joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice, an ambitious initiative of the International Labour Organization (ILO). The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the ILO premises in Cairo, attended by H.E. Mohamed Gobran, Minister of Labour, Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office, and representatives of the media.

Highlighting Egypt’s commitment to social justice, Minister of Labour Mohamed Gobran said: “Our commitment to join this coalition reflects Egypt’s vision for social protection programmes, which have become a cornerstone of the new republic through legislation and decisions in line with international labour standards and constitutional principles. 

“This aligns with Egypt’s 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy and our long-term vision for sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions”, Gobran added.

Global Coalition for Social Justice

Launched at the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June 2024 and endorsed by the ILO’s Governing Body in November 2023, the Global Coalition for Social Justice has so far successfully united 324 partners across diverse sectors worldwide.

Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office described the Coalition, conceived by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, and developed in close consultation with the ILO’s tripartite constituents, as a movement that aims to align economic, environmental, and social agendas towards peace and shared prosperity.

He praised Egypt’s progress in promoting social justice through initiatives such as Hayah Karimah and Bedaya, which have significantly improved living conditions in rural areas by providing essential services and creating employment opportunities.

“Egypt has made remarkable progress in promoting social justice and inclusive development,” said Oechslin, stressing the importance of social dialogue in addressing inequalities, promoting decent work, and building resilient societies. 

He also praised the establishment of Egypt’s Supreme Council for Social Dialogue as evidence of the government’s commitment to a decent work environment.

The objectives of the Coalition were also presented at the press conference by Laura Schmidt, Skills and Employability Specialist at the ILO.

© ILO

Advancing Egypt’s social protection vision

Minister Gobran emphasized that social protection is a fundamental human right. All initiatives, legislation, and government decisions work towards balance and justice in labour relations, especially in times of challenges, within a decent work environment shaped by all stakeholders through “social dialogue” in the labour world under the leadership of President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi.

He cited the New Beginning for Human Building (Bedaya) initiative, as a comprehensive programme that invests in human capital, enhances national security, builds the Egyptian human being, develops a competitive economy, achieves political stability, improves the health system, provides better education, ensures decent job opportunities, enhances social protection, achieves Egypt’s 2030 vision and sustainable development programme, and ensures fair distribution and efficient delivery of services and activities directly targeting citizens.

Looking ahead

In his closing remarks, Minister Gobran expressed his aspiration to strengthen cooperation with the ILO, saying:

“Through this coalition, we aim to create a more equitable and just world of work, aligned with our national priorities for progress and prosperity”.

Oechslin echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential of the Coalition to address the challenges of unemployment, inequality, and social protection. He thanked the media for their role in amplifying the ILO’s mission, stating:

Your commitment to accurate and impactful reporting is crucial for advancing the cause of social justice.

The event also featured a documentary on Egypt’s partnership with the Coalition and concluded with a question-and-answer session, underscoring the ILO’s commitment to advancing social dialogue and cooperation.