Combating the worst forms of child labour through the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Elimination the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Egypt and Supporting the Family, 2018-2025

This initiative aims at contributing to the implementation of the NAP, launched by the Government of Egypt in July 2018. This initiative targets children working in small industries, workshops and on streets, a priority area for intervention within NAP and ILO C.182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour. Selected geographical areas include Shubra El-Khayma, Sayida Zaynab and Asmaraat districts (Governorates of Cairo and Qalyubiya). These areas were carefully selected in consultation with national stakeholders due to high prevalence of child labour in the sectors and where some early initiatives had been initiated by MOSS and MOM. This initiative has been designed to provide direct tangible support to 3000 girls and boys who are at great risk of or are already working in sectors mentioned above. In addition, 200 families of those most vulnerable children will be economically supported to ensure sustainable withdrawal of their children. Moreover, the project will enhance the already available structures, institutions and services; governmental, non-governmental as well as private sector to combat child labour. The ILO will use its leverage with its traditional tripartite partners which include government, employers, workers organizations to the best interest of the children. Therefore, the initiative is composed of four major components. The first rests on enhancing the capacities of the Government of Egypt (NSC members especially MOM, MOSS MOE, MOI and NCCM) FEI and workers organizations to attend to child labour, effectively implement the NAP. The second component concentrates on ensuring that all relevant duty bearers within the framework of the project are able to attend to child labour especially in small industries and in streets. Most will work together to ensure an integrated holistic approach towards child labour with a clear monitoring and referral pathway. The third component focuses on the use of arts and media as ILO’s SCREAM Programme and Chorale Misr to effectively raise the awareness on the risks and dangers of child labour. These artistic tools are also used for psycho-social rehabilitation of affected children which takes us to the fourth component of the project. The fourth and last component is a culmination in terms of ensuring that all services to be provided for at risk, working children and their families are institutionalized, coordinated and complementary to each other; at central and district levels. This is foreseen through ensuring that appropriate logistics and operational needs of 3 MOSS child labour centres, one central and 3 local child labour and OSH field inspection offices, one vocational training centre are in place. Moreover, formal or non-formal education of children will be ensured through direct support to children and/or the relevant community schools in those selected districts as needed. Two hundred of the most vulnerable older boys and girls (14-18 yrs. old) will also be supported to engage in suitable apprenticeship trainings and appropriate decent working conditions soon after. The initiative will be implemented by ILO in very close coordination with MOM, MOSS, MOI, MOE, NCCM, FEI, workers organizations, Hope Village Society. The Italian Cooperation will be continuously informed of initiative’s progress as well as challenges faced through a coordination committee to be established for the project.

Project symbol

EGY/21/05/ITA

Admin unit

DWT/CO-Cairo

Start date

05/10/2023

End date

04/10/2025

Total allocation

1691738

Total expenditure

Status

Active

1080160

Development Partners

Italy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Country/Countries

Egypt

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Strong, modernized normative action for social justice