Khaberni - The Egyptian Ministry of Labor issued a new decision aimed at protecting children from exploitation in the labor market, by establishing strict rules for organizing their employment and training, in accordance with Egyptian law and international standards.
The decision stipulates prohibiting the employment of children before completing basic education or reaching the age of 15, allowing the start of vocational training only from the age of 14, provided that the work environment is safe and does not affect their health or academic achievement.
The decision also sets the working hours for children over 15 years old at a maximum of 6 hours per day, bans any overtime, or employment on official holidays and weekly rest days, in addition to prohibiting night work from 7 PM to 7 AM.
The controls included a list of hazardous occupations that children are completely forbidden from engaging in, such as working in mines and quarries, manufacturing asphalt, dealing with chemicals, and hazardous waste, alongside determining the weights children are allowed to carry that are suitable for their physical capabilities.
The Ministry of Labor emphasized that the decision reflects the government's commitment to providing a safe work environment for children, and aims to ensure their physical and psychological growth and protect their rights from any economic exploitation.
