Egypt's Labour Minister Mohamed Gobran launched on Monday a nationwide campaign to protect motorcycle, bicycle, and car-based delivery workers, pledging free protective gear and stronger legal safeguards for one of the country's fastest-growing informal sectors. The "Your Safety Matters" Campaign aims to provide helmets, reflective vests, gloves, and first-aid kits to thousands of uninsured delivery drivers, in a first phase targeting the most vulnerable workers. "We are committed to providing safe and decent working conditions for delivery workers, in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to protect marginalised groups," Minister Gobran told reporters. The campaign includes the rollout of a professional safety code and legal mechanisms to ensure companies offer fair contracts, insurance, and accident compensation. Future phases will involve integrating delivery workers into Egypt's social security system and offering skills training and employment support. The ministry is coordinating with major delivery platforms, civil society groups, and traffic authorities to raise awareness, enforce safety standards, and track violations. A hotline and digital portal will also be launched to handle worker complaints. "This campaign is part of a broader plan to formalise informal labor and improve protections across the board," Gebran said, pledging that further programmes would target job security and long-term welfare for delivery personnel. The initiative comes amid a sharp rise in gig economy employment in Egypt, where tens of thousands of youth work informally in app-based and independent delivery services without contracts, insurance, or legal protection. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
