Today at the Papal Residence in Cairo, two cooperative conventions were signed between the bishopric of public, ecumenical and social services of the Coptic Orthodox Church and the Ministry of Manpower, in the presence of H.H. Pope Tawadros II and the Minister of Manpower Eng. Mohamed Saafan.

The protocol signed today includes two conventions: the first is to promote a culture of safety, occupational health and skills development, and the second concerns the promotion of a culture of self-employment and access to modern ideas of entrepreneurship.

H.G. Bishop Yolios the General Bishop of public, ecumenical and social services, delivered an address welcoming the minister and the team at the Ministry of Manpower and noted that this protocol is the first to be signed with the Ministry of Manpower, as H.H. the Pope had previously signed a protocol with the Ministry of Immigration and another protocol with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, in support of the presidential initiatives that aim to provide a decent life for Egyptians. He also indicated that the signing of today’s conventions will provide training opportunities for 800 young men and women annually, in addition to the launching of training opportunities at the Ministry’s training centers. Also, the ministry will evaluate the quality of the bishopric’s vocational training centers to allow those who train therein to pass a technical exam to obtain a professional certificate, as H.G. had also indicated that the conventions will establish an employment forum that will provide job opportunities for young people, and that irregularly employed workers affiliated with the church will enjoy the benefits granted to them by the ministry.

In his speech, the Minister of Manpower referred to the Ministry’s efforts within the framework of employment and entrepreneurship from March 2016 until now that had positively impacted the unemployment rate which decreased from 14% in 2013 to 7.3% currently. He also discussed the mechanisms adopted by the Ministry in their encouragement of young people to take on jobs needed by the labour market through a number of initiatives and employment forums.

H.H. concluded the meeting with a speech in which he expressed that he was pleased with the signing of the protocol and the benefits contained therein, as well as from what he had heard from the Minister of the Ministry’s efforts in the field of training and employment. H.H. spoke on three points concerning the subject of employment. The first being cooperation, and that the joint efforts of all corners of society whether they be by government agencies represented by the ministries, or those undertaken by civil society such as the Coptic Orthodox Church, will contribute to an increase in job opportunities.

The second point was on unemployment, the scourge of societies, especially with the technological advancements that lead to the reduction of workers, and this is to be addressed through scientific planning and non-conventional solutions. The third point concerned the youth who represent a large proportion of the Egyptian people, and by qualifying them and providing them with job opportunities we will be able to deal correctly with the issue.

At the end of the meeting, H.H. presented the Minister of Manpower with an icon of the Holy Family, and the Minister presented H.H. the Pope with the Ministry of Manpower’s Shield.

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