IOM Egypt, the European Union and the Ministry of Labour inaugurated the Pre-departure Orientation (PDO) at the ministry with the presence of Minister of Labour H.E. Mr. Hassan Shehata, Head of the European Union to Egypt H.E.  Ambassador Christian Berger and Mr. Carlos Oliver Cruz, IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission alongside the programmes’ stakeholders and national partners. The Pre-departure Unit is part of “Towards a Holistic Approach to Labour Migration Governance and Labour Mobility in North Africa” (THAMM) Programme in Egypt, funded by the European Union.

Ambassador Christian Berger said “The inauguration of the Pre-departure Orientation Unit at the Ministry of Labour is an important component of the THAMM programme.  It contributes to the EU’s efforts in capacity building through skill recognition, talent partnerships and enhanced cooperation between the EU and Egypt in the field of migration. This year is the European Year of Skills linking skills to the labour market and providing the workforce with in-demand skills that are in demand and needed for long-term sustainable growth and competitiveness.”

The unit supports the implementation of several goals of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration: providing accurate and timely information at all stages of migration, addressing and reducing vulnerabilities in migration, facilitating fair and ethical recruitment and protecting conditions that ensure decent work. It also  enhances consular  protection,  assistance and  cooperation  throughout  the migration cycle, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning decent Jobs and economic Growth, reduce inequalities and Partnerships for the Goals.