Egypt’s Minister of Emigration, Amb. Soha Gendy announced , on Monday, that Egypt and Italy agreed to launch a joint center for jobs and migration in Cairo. Egypt- Italy jobs and migration center is modeled after the recently established Egyptian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration, and Reintegration (EGC). It aims to foster cooperation on labor migration through strategic partnerships to curb illegal immigration .
Gendy emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping Egyptian youth with top-notch vocational training, ultimately leading them to secure safe job opportunities in prominent labor markets, particularly within the European Union.
Further, she highlighted the “quantum leap” in bilateral ties across various sectors. Discussions between Minister Gendy and Italian Ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni focused on enhancing cooperation in areas like safe migration, employment-oriented training, and tackling migration challenges.
Combating Irregular Migration
The new center represents a crucial step for both nations. For addressing the surge in irregular migration, Egypt has set its first national strategy against irregular migration in 2016, enacting stricter penalties for migrant smuggling.
Egypt also exerted collaborative efforts for addressing root causes in governorates with high irregular migration rates, including the collaboration with the European Union.
Egypt, a country hosting roughly nine million migrants, has consistently maintained its stance against being a transit point for illegal migration into Europe. By prioritizing vocational training and safe job opportunities, this initiative has the potential to curb irregular migration and foster a more sustainable future for both nations.
