Aisha Abdel Hadi, Minister of Manpower and Immigration, has confirmed that employment of youth is a national issue in light of the global financial crisis's implications represented in low economic growth and increasing unemployment rates. This came in Abdel Hadi's speech yesterday during the inauguration of the national plan for youth employment in Egypt which is launched by the Ministry of Manpower in cooperation with the International Labor Organization. Minister Abdel Hadi admitted that the current economic growth is not sufficient to face unemployment. There is shortage in information on the labor market and career guidance required to achieve the aspirations of the youth. In addition, education and training cannot meet the requirements of the labor market.
The plan aims to create a dual system of vocational training to focus on theoretical and practical education. The plan focuses on avoiding various shortcomings in the Mubarak-Kohl Initiative to create more job opportunities.
Abdel Hadi pointed out that this plan will be implemented over three phases from 2010 to 2015. A committee was formed to launch the plan. It includes representatives of youth organizations, the National Council of Sports, the Social Development Fund, in addition to nine ministries, namely the ministries of manpower, finance, planning, trade and industry, investment, education, higher education, social solidarity, and international cooperation. The committee also includes representatives of the Labor Union, the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the United Nations Development Program, UNICEF, the Mubarak-Kohl Initiative, the Egyptian Group of Donors and the Future Generation Foundation (FGF).
The Committee will identify and ensure support from all bodies concerned. It would put a mechanism for cooperation among all these parties and to mobilize financial and human resources, Minister Abdel Hadi concluded.
