Informed Egyptian sources have unveiled that the Libyan authorities intend to impose entry visas over the next few days on the Egyptians who wish to travel to and work in Libya. The sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Libyan authorities issued a decree on May 24 exempting diplomats, businessmen and governmental visitors from the need to obtain an entry visa before traveling. This means a visa is required for the Egyptians not belonging to any of these three categories. The sources also pointed out that the Libyan authorities have imposed a series of restrictions on the Egyptian workers and this has limited their number over the past few years. They also indicated that the Egyptian Manpower Minister Aisha Abdel Hadi and the Libyan Minister of Work Mohammed Matouk signed in 2004, a memorandum stating that Egyptian workers could be employed through work contracts certified at the Libyan Embassy in Cairo and the Ministry of Manpower. Yet, the employer must get the approval from the Libyan authorities to bring workers to Libya. Since then, Egyptians with no work contract have only been able to go to Libya by plane. This is what the Libyan authorities are now trying to control by imposing visas. The same sources pointed out that the Libyan officials have justified these procedures to their Egyptian counterparts by saying that the pattern of work and life in their country is no longer the same, especially as Libya is currently becoming more like the Gulf States. These officials also affirmed, in light of new developments in Libya, that they are not keen to apply the clauses of the Four Freedoms Agreement between Egypt and Libya. According to an official who took part in the negotiations, the Libyans said that this agreement does not forbid issuing decrees and laws to regulate the flow of workers going to Libya, in line with the State's supreme interests. They said the aim is also to face illegal immigration, which has become a source of concern for them with the European Mediterranean countries in front of Libya, especially Italy. The sources pointed out that the Egyptian and the Libyan sides have agreed to form a joint committee made up of the Libyan workforce and training authority and the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower. This committee is due to kick off its meetings in Tripoli next week to discuss the Egyptian workers' situation in Libya and improve the conditions of the Egyptian community there.
