Egyptian court reviews ban on women working abroad in specific roles

The Egyptian State Council's Administrative Court has adjourned a lawsuit challenging a Ministry of Labor decision that prohibits Egyptian women from working abroad in specific professions. The hearing has been postponed to October 17 to allow for the review of documents and the submission of legal memoranda.

The contested decision, issued by the General Administration for Overseas Employment Affairs, bans women from roles such as cafe and restaurant staff (including waitresses, baristas, and cashiers), as well as domestic management, cooking, personal assistance, and home nursing.

The lawsuit argues that the ban constitutes gender-based discrimination and violates the Egyptian Constitution, which guarantees equality and equal opportunity. The plaintiffs contend that the Ministry's authority should be limited to regulating contracts and ensuring worker protection rather than imposing a blanket ban on women. Furthermore, the legal challenge asserts that the decision contradicts international obligations, specifically the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).