Skip to main content

Gaza becoming unexpected destination for Egyptian jobseekers

After the pound's depreciation against the US dollar, some Egyptian workers are fleeing the difficult economic conditions in their country to work in the Gaza Strip so they can send money to their families back home.

Palestinian labourers work at the construction site of a house, that witnesses said was destroyed by Israeli shelling during a 50-day war last summer, in Johr El-Deek village near the central Gaza Strip July 26, 2015.  The house is rebuilt as part of a Qatari-funded project aimed at reconstructing housing units destroyed during the war. Palestinian Minister of Housing and Public Works Mufeed Al-Hassayna said that the reconstruction process in Gaza has started, almost a year since the 2014 war. More than 100
Laborers work at the construction site of a house that witnesses said was destroyed by Israeli shelling during a 50-day war in 2014, in Johar al-Deek, Gaza, July 26, 2015. — REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Egyptian construction workers often do not earn enough to cover the basic expenses for themselves and their families, such as food, medicine and clothing.

The value of the Egyptian pound fell in half following the government’s decision to float the Egyptian currency in November and stands at about 18 Egyptian pounds to the US dollar. 

Related Topics

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in