Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad said social dialogue and compliance with labor standards are fundamental pillars for building a balanced and stable labor market and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian industry. He stressed that the "Better Work Egypt" program offers a practical model of the benefits that can be achieved through partnership among the government, employers and workers, supporting workers’ rights and employers’ interests while promoting stability, productivity and competitiveness.
Raddad made the remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf by Ahmed Nazmi, Head of the Ministry’s Central Administration for International Relations, at a tripartite meeting of the "Better Work Egypt" program organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in cooperation with its Cairo office.
The meeting was chaired by Eric Ochlan, Director of the ILO Cairo office, and attended by Abdel Moneim El-Gamal, President of the Egyptian Trade Union Federation, Mohamed Abdel Salam, Chairman of the Ready-Made Garments and Home Textiles Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries; and representatives of the three social partners.
Held in Cairo on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the meeting reviewed the vision and objectives of the "Better Work Egypt" program, key findings of its 2025 annual compliance report, national efforts in this area and plans for the next phase. It also saw the launch of a labor inspection guide on compliance with the Labor Law.
In his speech, Raddad expressed appreciation to the ILO for its continued partnership with Egypt and the technical support and specialized expertise it provides to develop the labor system, strengthen social dialogue and consultation, and build the capacities of labor market institutions.
He said the “Better Work Egypt” program demonstrates what can be achieved when the three social partners work together around a shared vision and coordinated efforts to protect workers’ rights, support employers and promote stability, productivity and competitiveness.
The minister noted that the ready-made garment industry is a key pillar of the Egyptian economy, given its significant employment potential and capacity to access foreign markets, attract investment and boost exports. He said Egypt’s ready-made garment exports reached around dlrs 3.4 billion in 2025, with the country targeting more than dlrs 4 billion in exports in 2026.
Raddad stressed that the "Better Work" program goes beyond improving working conditions, contributing instead to the competitiveness of Egyptian industry in global markets by raising compliance levels, improving the work environment and building the capacities of enterprises and workers.
He said the program’s results reflect a shift in the approach to labor standards, from a focus on inspection and oversight alone to a broader model centered on awareness, capacity building, technical assistance and sustainable compliance.