Establishment of a Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs to provide optimal services and assistance to all refugees
The European Union signed an agreement with Egypt on Sunday for the first phase of an 80 million-euro border management programme, a statement from the EU delegation in Cairo said, at a time when Egyptian migration to Europe has been rising. The project aims to help Egypt's coast and border guards reduce irregular migration and human trafficking along its border, and provides for the procurement of surveillance equipment such as search and rescue vessels, thermal cameras, and satellite positioning systems, according to an EU Commission document published this month.
Once grown it will generate a menu of policy choices, based on analytical evidence, evaluation of policies, data collection, and quality control.
The National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), which is affiliated to the Cabinet of Ministers, launched the Third National Strategy on Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Persons for the period (2022-2026). It is a starting point and the beginning of new action plan in which we build on what was achieved upon the completion of the previous National Strategy (2016-2021). the National Strategy has followed the international scientific approach in the field of combating trafficking in persons, which is the four pillars’ approach “4Ps” (Prevention, Prosecution, Protection, and Partnership), which makes the strategy an effective tool in the hands of the government to protect individuals and the community as a whole.
Under the amendments, tougher penalties shall be imposed on whoever commits, initiates, or mediates in the crime of smuggling migrants.
The Ministry of Immigration in Egypt announced the launch of the "Egypt's Voice in Africa" initiative with the aim of sustaining communication with Egyptian communities in Lesotho, Nigeria, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, as a first stage to listen to their ideas, proposals and problems, and work to meet their needs at all levels.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN launch platform which seeks to enhance coordination, ensure better delivery and mobilize resources to realize long term, sustainable development gains for migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and their host communities, enhancing social inclusion and cohesion.
The Egyptian government recently introduced new legislation mandating foreign nationals to contribute to national social security. The mandate entered into effect on 28 September 2021, with the issuance of Decree No. 2437 of 2021, which approved the executive regulations governing Social Insurance and Pension Law No. 148 of 2019. From 28 September 2021, all foreign national employees working in Egypt must participate in the Egyptian social security scheme. Foreign national employees and their employers are now required to pay the following contribution rates to the Egyptian social security scheme: 11.5% of the total social insurance salary for employees; 18.75% of the total social insurance salary for employers. Employee and employer contribution percentages are subject to a minimum salary of EGY 1,400 and a maximum limit of EGY 9,400 as of 1 January 2022. From 1 January 2021, and for a period of seven years, minimum and maximum social insurance salary limits are increased by 15% on January 1 of each year until 1 January 2028. Foreign national employees whose country of citizenship signed a social security treaty (also known as a “totalization agreement”) with Egypt will not be required to contribute to the Egyptian social security scheme so long as they provide a certificate proving they are contributing to their home country social security. Countries that signed a totalization agreement with Egypt are Cyprus, France, Greece, Morocco and the Netherlands. Employers may want to review their social security arrangements with their foreign national employees and update their local payroll to ensure compliance.
The Egyptian parliament passed law No. 140 for the year 2019 amending law No. 89 for the year 1960 on the entry and residency of foreigners in Egypt, and law No. 26 for the year 1975 regarding the Egyptian Nationality. The amendments focused on the right of the prime minister to grant citizenship to foreigners. The amendment also established a unit in the council of ministers specialized in considering citizenship applications.