CAIRO — Before the current session of parliament wraps up in August, Egyptian legislators have the opportunity to make life a little easier for their young fellow citizens who would like to marry and start a family but find doing so economically prohibitive. The parliament's Youth and Sports Committee on Feb. 11 approved a bill drafted by Atta Salim to establish a government-administered fund to provide loans so young couples can afford to marry.
Karam Sabri, 30, a construction worker, told Al-Monitor that his daily wage does not exceed 150 Egyptian pounds ($8.50) and that such a small salary is insufficient to cover the costs involved in getting married. He blames the high cost of living for making his dream of marriage impossible. Sabri supports a marriage fund, in the hope that he can obtain a loan to get an apartment in one of Cairo's suburbs.