On Laborers’ Day, President El-Sisi announces grants to workers, inaugurates new projects

CAIRO – 30 April 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the Labor Day celebration held at the headquarters of the Egyptian National Railway Industries Company (NERIC), located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, east of Port Said. El-Sisi gave excpetional grants and incentives to the workers, announced Egypt’s plan to increase the state’s agricultural land, and launched other development projects

Further, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the disbursement of an exceptional monthly grant of LE 1,500 to informal workers registered with the Ministry of Labor for a period of three months, from May through July 2026.

The President also directed the exemption of certain categories of informal workers from fees for skill level certificates and professional licenses, with the aim of integrating them into the formal sector and extending social protection.

Morever, he ordered an increase in compensation for death resulting from work-related accidents from LE 200,000 to 300,000, as well as increasing the compensation for total or partial disability, calculated according to the degree of disability.

The President announced the launch of a labor market platform designed to boost employment rates both domestically and internationally, while providing opportunities to enhance young people’s skills in line with labor market demands.

He also directed the formation of a permanent committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Labor, Industry, Investment and Foreign Trade, and Planning and Economic Development to address labor market needs.

Another permanent committee will be formed with representatives from the Ministries of Labor, Education and Technical Education, and Higher Education and Scientific Research to ensure that education and training outputs align with labor market requirements.

The President requested periodic reports on the progress and outcomes of the work of both committees.

During his speech President Sisi said: “Development can only be achieved through determination, perseverance, knowledge, and the training of cadres according to sound scientific principles, and through the integration of education and training with employment and investment policies. We had previously instructed the preparation of the National Employment Strategy. Today, I call for its precise and effective implementation, along with the submission of periodic reports on its outcomes.”

“In the same context, I encourage the private sector and civil society to prioritize vocational training and actively contribute to developing a qualified and trained workforce through advanced curricula, and to establish schools and institutes that fulfill this role,” the President added.

The President continued that the state strives to provide more job opportunities both domestically and internationally, and to open horizons for specialized, trained, and qualified Egyptian workers to prove their skill in Egypt and the world, through the agreements we conclude, all while closely monitoring their progress to ensure that the dignity and rights of Egyptian workers abroad remain protected against any violations.

The official spokesperson of the Presidency, ambassaor Mohamed El-Shenawy, stated that the President, in his address, highlighted the ongoing efforts to create new job opportunities, particularly in the agricultural and industrial sectors. He noted that despite regional and global challenges, Egypt’s unemployment rate has declined to 6.2 percent. He emphasized that both the public and private sectors are working to generate employment opportunities across both formal and informal markets.

The President pointed out that between 60 and 65 percent of Egypt’s population is under the age of 40, meaning that a large proportion is either already in the labor market or will soon enter it. He stressed that providing adequate employment and education opportunities for this demographic represents a significant challenge that requires coordinated national efforts. He also underscored the importance of strengthening both general and vocational education to ensure the competence of Egyptian workers, whether employed domestically or abroad.

He further stressed the need to expand job creation across all types of projects (small-scale, national, and others), particularly given the continuous demand for employment within a labor force estimated at around 60 million people.

In the same context, the President affirmed that the state is working to reclaim 4.5 million feddans of land as part of major national initiatives, including the New Delta project and projects led by the Future of Egypt Authority. He added that 450,000 feddans are being developed in the Sinai Peninsula, noting that this effort required the establishment of the Bahr El-Baqar water treatment plant, along with other key infrastructure projects.

The President stressed that the state is pursuing all available opportunities to achieve development and modernization, underlining the importance of unified efforts to reach national goals.

The spokesperson added that the President conducted an inspection tour of the facility, where he reviewed a metro train car following its assembly at the NERIC factory. During the tour, Engineer Karim Sami Saad, Chairman of the Board of Port Said Development Company, provided a detailed briefing. The visit concluded with the President taking commemorative photos with senior officials, company leaders, and workers at the factory.

Before his speech, President El-Sisi also inaugurated four new projects via video conference: the Zagazig electricity substation in Sharqia Governorate, the Rashid (2) pumping station in Giza Governorate, the Boulaq El-Dakrour General Hospital in Giza Governorate, and the Toukh Central Hospital in Qalyubia Governorate. Following this, a documentary film about the Egyptian National Railway Industries Company (NERIC) factory was shown, after which Minister of Transport, Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, delivered a speech as part of the celebration's events.

The official spokesperson explained that the President honored a number of workers from various sectors by awarding them medals and decorations in recognition of their efforts and outstanding work in their respective fields.