Egyptians who work abroad criticized the government and the parliament after the latter agreed in principle late last month to a draft law that would raise the annual fees imposed on Egyptians wanting to work abroad. Under the new regulations, annual fees to work abroad would go from 60 Egyptian pounds ($6.75) to 200 Egyptian pounds ($22.50) for those with higher degrees, and from 60 pounds to 100 pounds for those without higher degrees.
Parliament’s Defense and National Security Committee’s report argued, “The proposed amendment comes in … light of the increase in foreign exchange rate and the devaluation of the local currency. The applicable increase of the bylaw was very balanced and does not affect those with limited income, noting that the fees have remained unchanged for 20 years.”
