Egypt forms technical committee to train expatriate returnees

Government meeting discusses provision of protection for returnees from illegal immigration

Egypt's Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Kabbaj held discussions, on Wednesday, to form a mini-technical committee to launch a training programme for Egyptian expatriates returning home.
The meeting took place with the attendance of representatives from the Ministry of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the European Union (EU).
At the meeting, El-Kabbaj received: Nabila Makram, Minister for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs; Nevin Al-Husseini, Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Immigration, Refugees and Combating Human Trafficking; and Ibrahim Al-Afia, Head of Cooperation Sector and Minister Plenipotentiary of the European Union Mission in Egypt.
The meeting also discussed the provision of all means of protection for returnees from illegal immigration, and to ensure their inclusion. This would also extend to all members of their families, under the umbrella of social protection in order to ensure their comprehensiveness.
El-Kabbaj affirmed that NGOs are an essential partner for her ministry in implementing its programmes and achieving its mission. This takes place through creating incentives for voluntary return, to ensure the sustainability of return and integration in the labour market and in social life in general.
Makram asserted that Egypt has made great efforts to combat illegal immigration, whilst affirming her ministry's keenness to provide safe alternatives. This would be put into effect by providing support for youth and providing opportunities for training and providing soft loans.
She said that Egypt's political leadership is keen to invest in the country's youth and their energies, and to achieve sustainable development plans as part of Egypt's Vision 2030.
Makram indicated that with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a committee was formed to coordinate the return of Egyptians stranded abroad. The repatriation programme succeeded in returning more than 80,000 Egyptian nationals stranded abroad.
She added there was a plan to integrate returnees from abroad affected by COVID-19 in development plans, and ensure economic empowerment of employees affected through the "Enlighten Your Country" initiative.
For her part, Al-Husseini affirmed Egypt is keen to deal with the migration file from a comprehensive perspective.
She noted that the cooperation with the EU in combating illegal immigration is among the files that should be managed in a way that serves the interests of both parties.
Meanwhile, Al-Afia said that the efforts to confront illegal immigration and support young people should be coordinated, in order to provide a decent life for people.