Concluding Observations of Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers: From Reality to Positive Developments & Potential Concerns

By Ayman Okeil

The Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families has issued its concluding observations on the combined second to fourth periodic reports submitted by Egypt. This Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. Egypt has ratified the Convention, which holds particular significance for the Egyptian state, as it was the first country to accede to it, ratifying the Convention on February 19, 1993; this ratification was published in the Official Gazette on August 5, 1993.

The Committee reviewed Egypt’s combined reports during its sessions on December 3 and 4, 2024. The English version of the concluding observations spans 14 pages and includes 65 paragraphs, featuring an introduction along with positive aspects, concerns, and potential obstacles to the Convention’s implementation, as is customary for United Nations treaty bodies. The Committee acknowledged, in the document adopted on December 13, 2024, and published on December 18, 2024, that Egypt is a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrant workers. Notably, around 9 percent of Egypt’s population consists of migrants.

The Committee highlighted that Egypt has experienced a significant influx of migrants and refugees, particularly from conflict zones such as Sudan, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Libya, Yemen, and Palestine. It also recognized the cooperation between Egypt and the United Nations, which led to the establishment of the Joint Platform for Migrants and Refugees in Egypt and the Pre-Departure Guidance Unit within the Ministry of Labor in 2023. These initiatives were viewed as positive developments in the Egyptian government’s compliance with the Convention’s provisions. Among other positive aspects, the Committee welcomed the Egyptian government’s adoption of the Fourth National Plan to Combat and Prevent Illegal Migration (2024-2026) and the National Plan to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labor in Egypt while Supporting Families.

However, the concluding observations did not focus solely on positive developments; they also included concerns that could hinder the effective implementation of the Convention. The Committee noted the high rates of hate speech against migrant workers and their families as a significant issue. While commending the Egyptian government’s efforts to combat child labor—such as the Ministry of Labor’s review of the list of hazardous work prohibited for children—the Committee expressed concern about the potential exposure of unaccompanied and separated migrant children to the worst forms of child labor, which adversely affects their access to education and healthcare. Additionally, it stressed the significant gap between the number of labor inspectors and the number of establishments requiring inspection. The Committee also recommended that the Egyptian government promptly review, adopt, and implement the new labor law and the draft domestic labor law, ensuring the protection of the rights of migrant workers and their families within these laws. Additionally, the Committee emphasized that the newly issued asylum law and related regulations for refugees and asylum seekers must align with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights and refugee law.

In my opinion, the most significant recommendation from the Committee is found in paragraph 62 of the concluding observations. Here, the Committee urged the Egyptian government to disseminate the concluding observations in the official language of the state to all government institutions at every level, including ministries, the legislative bodies (both the House of Representatives and the Senate), the judiciary, local units, and non-governmental organizations. This recommendation is crucial, as raising awareness of these observations and encouraging their implementation will enhance Egypt’s compliance with the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee has suggested that the Egyptian government should seek greater support from international and intergovernmental sources to implement the recommendations outlined in the concluding observations document effectively.