Egypt Employment Guide

Egypt spans northeastern Africa and southwestern Asia, located at the strategic hub of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea with important geopolitical status. It has ~110 million people, the most populous country in the Arab world. Its economic pillars include oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, textiles and construction, while IT and financial services have developed in recent years. Cairo, the capital, is the political, economic and cultural center. Egypt’s labor laws require written contracts for employment relations, with a general 48-hour workweek. Employers must guarantee minimum wages and basic working conditions. Dismissals need reasonable grounds and compliance with legal procedures, and the social insurance system provides certain protection for employees.

Check recruitment costs

Currency

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Capital

Cairo

Official language

Arabic

Salary Cycle

Monthly

Our Employment Guide in Egypt

Browse the following tags to learn all about hiring employees in Egypt

Maternity Leave in Egypt: A Guide for International Employers

For global HR professionals managing teams in Egypt, understanding local leave policies is crucial. Female employees who have completed ten consecutive months of service are entitled to 90 days of fully paid maternity leave. The compensation, covering 100% of the employee's wage, is provided by social insurance, with a monthly cap of EGP 10,900. This policy supports new mothers while ensuring business continuity.

Paternity Leave: Current Legal Framework

Egyptian labor law does not currently mandate paternity leave for fathers. Companies like SailGlobal often implement their own supportive policies to promote family-friendly workplaces, recognizing the importance of paternal involvement.

Parental Leave Options

There is no statutory parental leave in Egypt beyond maternity provisions. However, some employees might access leave under broader caregiving policies. For instance, SailGlobal offers flexible arrangements to help employees balance work and family needs, aligning with global best practices.

Navigating Sick Leave Entitlements

Employees can take up to one year of paid sick leave, with varying compensation based on duration. The structure is designed to protect employee well-being while managing costs effectively.

Period (Days)	Salary Coverage	Payer
0-90	75% of basic wage	Social Insurance
90-180	80% of basic wage	Social Insurance
180-360	0% (Unpaid)	N/A

Consider a case where an employee at SailGlobal utilized this leave for recovery, returning productive with company support. Such policies reduce turnover and foster loyalty.

Hire easily in Egypt

Compare employee hiring costs across over 100 countries worldwide, helping you accurately calculate labor costs. Try it now

Cost Calculator

Please select the country/region you wish to recruit from, and the calculation can be done with just a few clicks.