Cairo, 28 August 2019 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt and the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) organized a roundtable discussion that aimed at exchanging knowledge on corporate responsibility, responsible recruitment and business practices with prominent Egyptian private sector representatives.

The roundtable is one of the planned activities to engage private sector institutions in promoting ethical and inclusive businesses and increasing their awareness on potential risks and violations resulting from workers’ exploitation. During the roundtable, IOM presented its approach, initiatives and tools related to the corporate responsibility and the elimination of trafficking.

The presentation was followed by a discussion, during which stakeholders presented their businesses and ongoing initiatives. Stakeholders represented four large-scale companies in Egypt working in several sectors such as textiles, food and beverage, energy, transportation and logistics, infrastructure, cement, and agri-foods. Most companies represented have operations extending to Africa and the Middle East,in industries that are labour-intensive.

Participants agreed on the significant role that businesses can play to support the employability and employment of youth while promoting ethical recruitment practices to contribute to the welfare of the workers, and the community at large including migrants.

The roundtable is the starting point for an upcoming series of activities that are to be organized jointly with FEI to promote the active role of the private sector in the national development of Egypt. The roundtable is also in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth and Goal 10: Reduced inequalities.

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +2 02 2736 5140/1 Email: oawwad@iom.int.