The social contention over a new labour law in post- 2014 Egypt: Understanding regime choices and strategies

Abstract

ABSTRACT Discussions surrounding a new labor law in Egypt, started after the 2011 uprising. However, this law has not yet been promulgated until today. How can this delay be explained? The present article argues that the delay reflects the difficult position in which the post-2014 regime found itself and the difficult choices it had to make. Building on a systematic reading of Egyptian media from 2014 to 2020, this article reconstructs discussions about different versions of the draft law, identifying dilemmas the post-2014 regime faced: on one hand, it sought to opt for a more nuanced approach to flexibility and deregulation while also limiting the arbitrary power of employers over workers that had led to wildcat strikes under Mubarak. On the other hand, it sought to prevent international companies from stopping imports from Egyptian factories and suppliers due to their lack of compliance with international labor standards. In response, the regime coopted moderate segments of the independent unionist movement and adopted some labor-friendly measures that were rejected by employer representatives. This led to a postponement of a decision regarding the law.