Worker’s Rights under the Egyptian Labor Law 2025

What are the Basic Rights of a Worker According to Egyptian Labor Law?

Workers’ rights under the  new Egyptian Labor Law are applicable at different stages and to various aspects of their employment relationship with the employer. These rights include:

• The right to document the labor contract: The relationship between the worker and the employer must be documented by a labor contract that specifies the working conditions, wages, working hours, vacations, and other rights and obligations of the worker.
• The right to fair pay: A worker has the right to receive a wage commensurate with the nature of the work and the effort exerted, and must not be less than the minimum wage determined in accordance with the labor law. Wage discrimination based on sex, origin, language, religion, or creed is prohibited, and wages must be paid on time.
• The right to fixed working hours and rest periods: Actual working hours may not exceed 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week, except in certain cases specified by law. Workers are entitled to rest periods, in addition to a weekly rest period of not less than 24 consecutive hours. The worker is entitled to overtime pay if the worker is required to work during vacations or for a number of hours exceeding the legally specified working hours.
• The right to vacations:
  • Annual leave: Workers are entitled to paid annual leave, the duration of which varies according to the length of service (21 days for a worker who has completed one year of service, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service or for those over 50 years of age).
  • Casual leave: The worker is entitled to casual leave for a period not exceeding 6 days per year.
  • Sick leave: The worker is entitled to sick leave, the duration of which is determined according to the medical certificate and the law.
  • Maternity leave: Working women have the right to paid maternity leave for a specified period of time (up to four months according to recent amendments).
  • Other vacations: Such as holidays and official occasions.
• The right to a safe and healthy work environment: The employer is obligated to provide a safe and healthy work environment and take all necessary measures to prevent occupational hazards and work accidents, and must provide safety tools and equipment and training on their use.
• Right to Social Insurance: The worker has the right to be registered in the social insurance system, which provides protection in cases of illness, injury, disability, old age, and death.
• The right to protection from unfair dismissal: Workers may only be dismissed for legitimate reasons stipulated by law, and specific procedures must be followed before dismissal. Recent amendments have abolished what was known as “Form 6,” which was sometimes used for unfair dismissal.
• Special rights for working women: In addition to maternity leave, pregnant women are prohibited from being assigned hazardous work and have the right to reduced working hours during pregnancy. Dismissal during maternity leave is also prohibited. A female worker is entitled to two periods of maternity leave during her entire service, each lasting up to 90 days with full pay, and is entitled to a daily breastfeeding break of one hour for 24 months following childbirth.
• The right to develop professional skills: The law emphasizes the importance of developing the skills of workers in the public and private sectors.
• Right to dispute resolution: The law provides clear mechanisms to settle labor disputes amicably or judicially, including the establishment of tripartite committees and specialized labor courts.
• Right to severance pay: Workers are entitled to severance pay upon termination of the employment contract according to conditions specified in the law.
• Right to join labor syndicates: Workers have the right to form and join labor syndicates to defend their rights and interests.
• Rights upon termination of the labor contract: Workers are entitled to receive all documents held in their personnel file by the employer and all outstanding financial dues owed to them upon the termination of their employment.

In all cases, the Labor Law establishes the minimum rights for workers, and its provisions are mandatory and cannot be waived or reduced unless an agreement between the employer and worker provides for greater rights or benefits for the worker, such as shorter working hours or more weekly vacation days.

When Can a Worker Resort to the Judiciary Under Egyptian Law?

Under Egyptian law, a worker has the right to seek recourse through the judiciary in several instances, particularly when an amicable resolution of a dispute with the employer proves unattainable, or when the worker believes their rights have been infringed upon in accordance with labor legislation. These instances include the following:

• Failure to reach an amicable solution to the dispute: After attempting to settle the dispute amicably with the employer directly or through the relevant authorities (such as the Labor Directorate or the tripartite committees stipulated in the Law), if no agreement is reached to the satisfaction of both parties, the worker has the right to file a lawsuit to claim their rights. The recent amendments to the Labor Law emphasized the establishment of specialized labor courts, similar to specialized courts in other areas of law, to ensure quicker and more efficient adjudication of labor disputes.
• Unfair Dismissal: If a worker is dismissed from their job arbitrarily or without a legitimate reason as stipulated by the Labor Law, they have the right to seek recourse through the judiciary to demand compensation for the unlawful dismissal or to demand reinstatement in some cases.

• Failure to abide by the terms of the labor contract: If the employer violates any of the conditions agreed upon in the employment contract, such as failing to pay the agreed-upon wages, illegally changing the nature of the work, or failing to abide by the stipulated working hours and vacations, the worker has the right to file a lawsuit to compel the employer to enforce the terms of the contract or obtain compensation.

• Violation of a worker’s basic rights: If any of the basic rights guaranteed by the labor law are violated, such as the right to fair pay, the right to a safe and healthy work environment, or the right to vacation leave, the worker has the right to go to court to claim their rights or obtain compensation for the damage they have suffered.

• Failure to pay end-of-service benefits: If the employer refuses to pay the severance pay due to the worker at the end of the employment contract, the worker has the right to file a lawsuit to claim these dues.

• Discrimination in treatment or wages: If a worker is subjected to discrimination in treatment or wages due to gender, origin, religion, or any other legally prohibited reason, they have the right to seek recourse through the judiciary to demand the elimination of discrimination and obtain compensation for any damage suffered.

• Work Injuries and Occupational Diseases: If a worker suffers a work injury or develops an occupational disease as a result of working conditions, they have the right to file a lawsuit to demand appropriate compensation according to the Social Insurance Law and the Labor Law.

• Employer Violations of Labor Laws and Regulations: If the employer commits violations of labor laws or labor regulations, and these violations have a negative impact on the worker’s rights, the worker has the right to go to court to seek enforcement of the law or compensation.

How to File a Complaint for Labor Rights Violations in Egypt?

How to File a Complaint for Labor Rights Violations in Egypt

Egyptian law provides several roughts for workers to file complaints when their rights are violated, ensuring mechanisms for protection and redress. These channels and their respective procedures are outlined below:

1. The Labor Relations Office (Competent Manpower Directorate):

• Direct Submission: Workers can personally visit the nearest Labor Relations Office or the Manpower Directorate relevant to their workplace to submit a complaint. This can be done verbally or, preferably, in writing. A written complaint should detail the specific right violated, the date of the violation, the parties involved (worker and employer), and any supporting evidence such as the employment contract or wage slips.
• Timeliness: Promptly filing a complaint after the violation is crucial for effective intervention. Some sources suggest doing so within 10 days of the dispute’s commencement.
• Role: The Labor Relations Office acts as an initial mediator, investigating the complaint and attempting to reconcile the worker and employer through dialogue. Both parties may be summoned to provide their accounts.
• Referral to Labor Court: If an amicable resolution isn’t achieved within a specified timeframe (typically up to 20 days), the Labor Relations Office will escalate the complaint to the competent Labor Court for judicial review.

2. The Labor Court:

• Direct Filing: Workers have the option to directly file a lawsuit with the competent Labor Court to seek justice, bypassing the Labor Relations Office. This can sometimes expedite the legal process.
• Petition Requirements: To initiate a lawsuit, the worker (or their legal representative) must submit a formal petition. This petition should include the personal details of both the worker and the employer, a clear description of the complaint’s subject matter, a factual account of the events, the legal basis for the claim, and the specific remedies sought.
• Supporting Documentation: The petition must be accompanied by relevant documents that substantiate the worker’s claim. These may include the employment contract, copies of the worker’s national ID, wage statements, any written correspondence or warnings exchanged between the parties, and police reports (if applicable).
• Statute of Limitations: Workers must be mindful of the legal deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing labor lawsuits. These deadlines can vary depending on the nature of the violated right, with some claims related to the employment contract having a limitation period of one year from the contract’s termination date.

3. Police Departments:

• Criminal Offenses: If the violation of a worker’s right constitutes a criminal offense under Egyptian law (e.g., intentional withholding of wages despite the employer’s ability to pay, or instances of threats and coercion), the worker can file an official police report at the local police station where the incident occurred.
• Evidentiary Value: A police report can serve as additional evidence when pursuing a complaint through the Labor Relations Office or when filing a lawsuit in the Labor Court.

4. The Unified Government Complaints System Portal:

• The Egyptian government operates an integrated online platform designed to receive and process complaints from citizens across various governmental sectors. This system can also be used to lodge complaints concerning labor rights violations. Submissions can be made via the official website or by calling the dedicated hotline at 16528.

5. The Administrative Control Authority:

• In situations where there is suspicion of corruption or serious administrative irregularities involving the violation of worker rights by a government agency or a public sector official, workers have the right to file a complaint with the Administrative Control Authority for investigation.

6. The Egyptian Labor Union:

• Union Support: Workers who are members of a labor union can seek assistance and support from their specific union or the General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions. The union can provide guidance on filing complaints and advocate on the worker’s behalf.

In this regard, the Egyptian law establishes a multi-faceted framework for safeguarding workers’ rights, offering various channels for redress in case of violations. Workers should carefully consider the nature of the violation and the specific circumstances of their case when deciding on the most appropriate avenue for filing a complaint.

What is the Role of a Lawyer in Legally Representing Workers?

Lawyers play a vital and essential role in legally representing workers and protecting their rights under Egyptian labor law, and this role can be summarized in several key points:

1. Providing Legal Advice:

• Clarifying rights and duties according to the labor law, labor contract, and company internal regulations.
• Assessing the legal situation by analyzing the facts of the dispute or issue faced by the worker and determining the most appropriate legal path to protect their rights.
• Advising the worker on the legal steps to be taken, whether filing a complaint with the labor office or filing a lawsuit.

2. Representing the Worker Before Different Authorities:

• Labor Office (Manpower Directorate): The lawyer attends amicable settlement sessions at the labor office on behalf of the worker and negotiates with the employer to reach a fair solution that protects their client’s rights.
• Labor Courts: The lawyer files lawsuits before the competent labor courts, submits the necessary memorandums and documents to support the worker’s position, attends the sessions, and pleads on their behalf.
• Investigative Bodies: The lawyer appears with the worker before investigative bodies (such as the police or prosecution) if there are criminal aspects to the dispute.

3. Preparing and Submitting Legal Documents:

• Drafting Complaints: The lawyer drafts complaints submitted to the labor office or other authorities in a legally sound and clear manner.
• Preparation of the Petition: The lawyer prepares the petition (Da’wa) and submits it to the labor court, stating the facts, legal grounds, and requests accurately.
• Submitting Pleadings and Documents: The lawyer prepares legal briefs that support the worker’s position and presents the necessary documents and evidence before the court.
• Appeals Against Rulings: If a judgment is issued that is unsatisfactory to the worker, the lawyer will study the judgment and submit appropriate appeals (such as appeal or cassation) if legally warranted.

4. Protecting and Defending the Worker’s Rights:

• Ensuring the Application of the Law: The lawyer ensures that the law is applied correctly and protects the worker’s rights from any violations that may occur from the employer.
• Defending the Worker’s Rights in Cases of Unfair Dismissal: The lawyer defends the worker in cases of unfair dismissal and demands appropriate compensation or reinstatement to their position.
• Claiming Financial Dues: The lawyer seeks to recover all financial dues owed to the worker, such as back wages, severance pay, vacation pay, and other entitlements.
• Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Work Environment: In cases of negligence on the part of the employer that leads to injury to the worker, the lawyer assists in claiming appropriate compensation for damages.

5. Providing Legal Education:

• Lawyers may provide legal awareness programs for workers to inform them of their rights and how to protect them.

Therefore, the lawyer acts as a legal protector for the worker, providing them with the expertise and legal knowledge necessary to understand and effectively defend their rights before various authorities, with the aim of achieving justice and ensuring that the worker obtains their full rights in accordance with the law.

In Shura Law Firm, we are prepared to provide specialized legal consultations in Egyptian labor law cases. The Firm handles all procedures, consultations and defense of the rights of workers and employers in cases related to unfair dismissal, unpaid wages and various labor issues.

Let us help you navigate these changes smoothly and protect your business and employees—contact Nehal Akkad, Associate Lawyer, at [email protected] for expert legal advice that ensures your success under the new regulations!