CAIRO: A staggering 300,000 employees are expected to lose their jobs in 2009, the Center for Trade Union and Workers Services warned as President Hosni Mubarak called for creating new job opportunities nationwide. Indifference and pessimism were the most common sentiments echoed by most in the streets of Cairo, even by those aware and affected by the crisis. Yasser Hosni was laid off his job in tourism in Hurghada. When the sector was hit by the economic crisis, Hosni was forced to take up job in a fast food chain restaurant. He complained of nepotism when hiring employees, making job opportunities even scarcer. Moustafa has a bachelor's degree in law but currently works as a fruit vendor. He said that job losses over the past six months have indirectly affected his business, as fewer customers approach his fruit stall. He added that several of his family members, both in the private and public sectors, lost their jobs as a result of the crisis. Ahmed Gabr, a garbage collector, said that while his qualifications can earn him a much better job, he was not keen on finding one due to the low wages offered in different sectors. Some people had different views regarding the origin of the problem. Abdel Latif El-Sayed, 53, who works as a paralegal, attributed the problem to the lack of enthusiasm by graduates to look for jobs. He said parents fail to encourage their children to take initiative and find work. Said Fawzy, a teacher, said that for more employment opportunities to exist, the economy needs to improve. Others proposed solutions to the crisis. Shaimaa, who has been working in retail for two years, said the government and the banks need to do more to encourage small projects and businesses. She explained that it s difficult to secure loans based on collateral or deal with the bureaucracy when initiating such projects. With such bleak forecasts, students do not have much to look forward to. Youssef, a student at Cairo University, said that while summer internships or part-time jobs are relatively easy to find, many of his recently graduated friends have difficulty finding jobs. By the time I graduate, I think I will be joining them, he said.
