Last January, workers, employers, and government representatives from the region met online for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leadership Programme on the Just Transition to discuss the latest research, knowledge, and insights and to share best practices in shaping a just transition to a green future of work.
On 28-29 November 2022, in Algiers, in collaboration with the Algerian Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, took place the first regional meeting of the Social Dialogue for Formalization and Employability in the Southern Neighbourhood Region (SOLIFEM) Project.
Constituents from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) discussed with International Labour Organization (ILO) experts, the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) the achievements of the SOLIFEM project in the inception phase and re-affirmed the importance of social dialogue as a path towards formalisation and decent work for youth in the Middle East and North Africa region.
The project will support the transition from the informal to the formal economy through tripartite social dialogue in Arab States
The move to formality is a way to increase access to decent work and reduce poverty, foster sustainable and productive enterprises that compete in fair domestic and international markets and increase the power of government.
Egyptian companies have contributed to fight the social and economic consequences of Covid-19.
Activities ranged from direct donations and gifting of medical supplies to skilling initiative, solidarity programmes for workers affected by the pandemic, youth empowerment.