EGYPT, July 25 - On May 3, 2025, President Abdu Al-Fatah al-Sisi ratified Law No. 14 of 2025, which comprehensively reforms Egypt’s labor law by repealing the prior labor law, Law No. 12 of 2003. (Pmbl. art. 12.) Most provisions will come into effect September 1, 2025. (Art. 13.)  

The new labor law applies only to workers in the private sector; it does not apply to government workers or to domestic workers. (Art. 1.)

Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace

The new law prohibits harassment, bullying, and verbal, physical, or psychological violence against workers. (Bk. 1 ch. 2 art. 4.) Harassment is defined as “[a]ny act or behavior in the workplace . . . that constitutes an assault on others by making sexual or pornographic gestures, insinuations, or hints . . . by any means, including wired, wireless, or electronic communications.” (Bk. 1 ch. 1 art. 1 para. 31.) Bullying is defined as “[a]ny act or behavior in the workplace . . . whether verbally, by displaying force or control over others, or by exploiting their weakness or a condition . . . such as gender, race, religion, physical description, health or mental condition, or social level, with the intent to intimidate, ridicule, degrade, or exclude them.” (Art. 1 para. 32.)

Mandatory Bonuses for Employees

The law requires that employees receive an annual bonus of 3% of the worker’s wages, due one year after the worker’s hiring date and each year thereafter. Employers may request an exemption from this requirement if economic circumstances prevent granting such bonuses. (Bk. 1 Ch. 2 art. 12.)

New Government Bodies Established

The law establishes a new government entity, the Supreme Council for the Development of Human Resources, that will be responsible for setting policies related to the development of labor market and human resources, and training and rehabilitation policies for persons with disabilities. (Bk. 2 ch. 1 art. 18.)

It also creates a second new government body, the Supreme Council for Planning and Organizing the Workforce Domestically and Abroad, that will be responsible for formulating policies, rules, and procedures related to employment of Egyptian workers abroad and foreign workers domestically. (Bk. 2 ch. 2 art. 32.)

Rights of Women in the Workforce

The new law prohibits any form of discrimination in training, advertising or filling jobs, or the terms and conditions of work, based on gender, religion, skin color, disability, political affiliation, etc. (Bk. 1 ch. 2 art. 5.) In particular, it prohibits any form of discrimination against women in the workplace, and specifically obligates employers to provide equal pay for equal work. (Bk. 2 ch. 2 art. 53.)

The new law also grants women workers paid maternity leave for four months. It further provides that pregnant women workers starting in their sixth month of pregnancy cannot be asked to work overtime. (Art. 54.) The law guarantees the right of a woman to return to her position or a similar one after she takes maternity leave. (Art. 55.) A woman employed in an establishment of 50 or more workers is granted the right to up to two years of unpaid leave to take care of her infant. (Art. 57.)

The law also grants a female worker the right to terminate her labor contract due to marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth, provided she notifies the employer in writing within three months. (Art. 58.)

George Sadek, Law Library of Congress
July 25, 2025

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