Egypt Mandates Nurseries for Working Women and Tightens Child Labor Rules

2026-03-26 - 14:20

Egypt’s Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad issued three landmark ministerial decisions, according to an official statement on Wednesday, 25 March. Published in the Official Gazette (Al-Waqa’i Al-Masria) supplementary issue No. 64 on March 18, the decrees took effect the following day. They focus on establishing regulated nurseries in workplaces, expanding leave entitlements, and imposing strict controls on child employment and training. The moves come in coordination with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and were reviewed by the Supreme Council for Social Dialogue. The first decision requires every employer with 100 or more female workers in a single workplace to establish an on-site nursery or contract with a licensed external nursery to care for the children of female employees under the age of four. The facility must be equipped to accommodate children with disabilities. For smaller workplaces (fewer than 100 female workers), facilities located within a 500-meter radius may collaborate to set up a shared nursery. This provision aims to create a safe, organized environment that allows mothers to remain active in the labor market without compromising childcare. Parents will contribute to... This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read.