Egypt bans female citizens from domestic and cafe work abroad

CAIRO - 2 April 2026: The Ministry of Labor banned on Wednesday female Egyptian citizens from traveling abroad to work in domestic services or cafes, citing a need to regulate the labor market and protect the dignity of female workers.

In a Wednesday statement, the ministry issued binding instructions to labor recruitment agencies prohibiting the recruitment of women for roles including housekeepers, private nurses, home chefs, and personal assistants.

The ban also extends to hospitality roles such as waitresses, counter workers, and food servers in cafes.

The Ministry explained that the decision followed "reports from the Labor Representation Office in Riyadh," the capital of Saudi Arabia. 

The move aims to ensure that employment opportunities abroad align with professional standards and safeguard the rights of Egyptian women.

The circular, issued 1 April 2026, warned recruitment agencies that any non-compliance would result in the immediate suspension of their operations or the rejection of future transactions.