To standardize external employment procedures and strengthen support for Egyptian workers seeking employment abroad, the Ministry of Labour, in close cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) under the European Union-funded "Towards a Holistic Approach to Labour Migration Governance and Labour Mobility in North Africa" (THAMM Plus) programme.
Aligned with national legislation and informed by international labour standards and fair recruitment principles, the SOPs aim to improve service efficiency and coordination while safeguarding workers' rights and promoting fair recruitment.
They cover four interconnected areas: identifying employment opportunities abroad; supporting workers before departure and during employment abroad; regulating and overseeing private employment agencies; and handling complaints concerning recruitment agencies and employers. By defining clear procedures, responsibilities, standardized forms and process flowcharts, the SOPs provide Ministry staff with a common operational reference.
The SOP's launch event brought together representatives of the Ministry, the ILO and the European Union, alongside Ministry officials responsible for external employment, labour representation abroad, private employment agencies and labour inspection.
© ILO
Shared commitment to fair recruitment
During the opening remarks, Minister of Labour Hassan Raddad affirmed that the SOP's "launch represents an important step towards strengthening Egypt's system for the employment of Egyptian workers abroad, facilitating their mobility, enhancing their protection and welfare, and safeguarding their rights, in line with legislative developments and the needs of international labour markets. This comes in implementation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to protect and support Egyptian citizens at home and abroad, provide decent work opportunities, and open new prospects for Egyptian talent around the world."
The launch represents an important step towards strengthening Egypt's system for the employment of Egyptian workers abroad.
Hassan Raddad, Egypt's Minister of Labour
ILO Cairo Director, Eric Oechslin, highlighted that "this work forms part of the ILO's broader efforts to advance fair recruitment: preventing abusive practices, protecting workers' rights and ensuring that recruitment provides a pathway to decent work. Effective governance requires clear legal protections, practical procedures and institutions equipped to apply them." He continued, "Stronger requirements for private recruitment agencies and clearer prohibitions on abusive practices provide an important foundation. The SOPs help carry these protections into the Ministry's everyday work."
This work forms part of the ILO's broader efforts to advance fair recruitment.
Eric Oechslin, ILO Cairo Director
The Delegation of the European Union to the Arab Republic of Egypt, represented by Dr. Sébastien Lorion, Team Leader for Social Inclusion, Governance and Migration, commended the Ministry of Labour for the adoption of the SOPs. He underlined that "the development of clear, structured and transparent procedures for external employment is a significant step towards ensuring that Egyptian workers can access employment opportunities abroad through safe, regular and well-managed channels, while responding effectively to the evolving needs of international labour markets - including the European market."
The development of clear, structured and transparent procedures for external employment is a significant step.
Dr. Sébastien Lorion, Team Leader for Social Inclusion, Governance and Migration, EU Delegation to Egypt
From development to action
Developed through ongoing collaboration between the Ministry and the ILO, the SOPs build on work initiated under the first phase of THAMM programme. Consultations and technical reviews guided further development as the SOPs were updated to reflect Labour Law No. 14 of 2025 and the related ministerial decrees ahead of their finalization and launch under the programme's second phase, THAMM Plus.
During the launch event, the contributions of the Ministry team were recognized through a certificate ceremony, while Dr. Magda Asaad, the ILO's lead consultant for the SOPs, presented its development process, objectives and components.
A panel discussion explored how the SOPs advance the external employment of Egyptian workers within a fair recruitment approach. It examined practical contributions to service delivery, the application of international labour standards and stronger labour migration governance, alongside the measures needed for consistent implementation.
The event concluded with Ministry reflections on the way forward as the SOPs were intended to be reviewed and updated in response to implementation experience, legislative developments and digital transformation, supporting the continued improvement of employment services abroad.
