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Insured Employee Rights in the Private Sector

30 November 2024

The rights of insured individuals in the private sector represent a set of legal guarantees aimed at protecting employees through social insurance systems. Social insurance is therefore an essential component of the social protection framework in Egypt, particularly in the private sector. It seeks to provide financial and health security for workers by offering a range of benefits that safeguard their rights in cases of old age, disability, and death, as well as in instances of workplace injuries and unemployment. Moreover, it contributes to promoting economic and social stability for society as a whole. This article explores the key rights of private sector employees, ways to benefit from social insurance, the conditions related to pensions and early retirement, as well as the main advantages of social insurance programs.

How to find out if you have insurance entitlements?

To check if you have any unpaid insurance entitlements, you can follow these steps:

  • Visit the official website of the General Organization for Social Insurance or use the "Tamenaty" app. You can access it via a computer or smartphone and ensure you log in with your personal details if required.

  • Go to the "Services" or "Quick Verification" section and select the "Insurance Entitlements" service from the displayed list.

  • Choose the appropriate search method, where you can search using your national ID number, civil registration number, residence number, or name. Then, enter the required data in the designated fields and add the verification code displayed in front of you.

  • Verify the existence of entitlements by clicking the "Verify" button, and the result will appear based on the entered data.

What is the retirement age in the private sector?

The retirement age in Egypt's private sector is 60 years and gradually changes according to the provisions of the Social Insurance Law or based on agreements between the employee and the employer. Private-sector employees may retire before reaching this age if they have completed the required years of service specified in the social insurance regulations or under a prior agreement with the employer. The Social Insurance Law also aims to extend the retirement age to capitalize on the accumulated expertise of workers in various sectors.

The timeline for the retirement age to safeguard the rights of the insured in the private sector:

  • Born on July 1, 1971: Retirement in July 2032 at the age of 61.

  • Born on July 1, 1972: Retirement in July 2034 at the age of 62.

  • Born on July 1, 1973: Retirement in July 2036 at the age of 63.

  • Born on July 1, 1974: Retirement in July 2038 at the age of 64.

  • Born on July 1, 1975 and later: Retirement in July 2040 at the age of 65.

Early Retirement

The Social Insurance and Pensions Law specifies the conditions for early retirement before the age of 60, the most prominent of which are:

  • Contribution periods in social insurance must not be less than 20 years, increasing to 25 years starting January 2025.

  • A request must be submitted to receive the early retirement pension.

  • The pension value must not be less than 50% of the last settlement income or 65% of the minimum insurance wage.

  • All insurance rights must be settled to preserve the rights of the insured in the private sector, with five years added to the remaining period to reach the legal retirement age.

  • No disciplinary penalties must have been incurred during the service.

  • An employee who retires early is prohibited from working in any institution subject to labor laws.

What are the rights of workers in the private sector?

The Egyptian Labor Law No. 12 of 2003 aims to achieve a balance between the rights of insured workers in the private sector and employers, ensuring the stability of labor relations and protecting both parties. The law precisely defines the duties of workers, prohibitions to avoid, and the fundamental rights of insured workers in the private sector, reflecting the state’s commitment to promoting a fair work environment.

Duties of the worker:

  • Adhering to performing the work personally as agreed in the contract without delegating it to others.

  • Following the employer’s instructions unless they contradict the law or endanger the worker or colleagues.

  • Respecting work schedules and adhering to procedures for leaves or absences.

  • Preserving work tools and the institution’s secrets.

  • Cooperating with superiors and colleagues and adhering to professional conduct rules both inside and outside work.

  • Refraining from engaging in competing activities or disclosing company information.

Rights of the worker:

  • Receiving appropriate wages with protection from seizure except within legal limits.

  • Benefiting from annual, casual, sick, and study leaves according to the law's provisions.

  • Receiving an end-of-service gratuity upon reaching the age of sixty, as per the conditions specified by law.

  • Enjoying healthcare, transportation, and housing if working in remote areas.

  • Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment with the provision of occupational safety measures.

  • Having the right to access labor regulations and disciplinary codes and ensuring that the employer does not misuse disciplinary authority.

  • Nullification of any condition or agreement that diminishes the insured worker's rights in the private sector as stipulated by law.

What are the benefits of social insurance for the private sector?

Social insurance for the private sector in Egypt aims to provide social and financial protection for the workforce and achieve economic and social stability. Its key benefits include:

1- Old age, disability, and death insurance:

  • Disbursement of insurance benefits to insured individuals upon reaching retirement age or in the event of disability or death.

  • Ensures uniformity in wages and contribution rates for old age, disability, and death insurance across various groups, such as employees, business owners, and Egyptians working abroad.

2- Work injury and illness compensation:

Compensation for wages during periods of temporary partial disability resulting from a work-related injury or illness is provided as follows:

  • 75% of the last subscription wage for the first four weeks.

  • 65% for the second four weeks.

  • 55% for the third four weeks.

  • 45% for the remaining weeks.

  • Covering transportation expenses to treatment facilities to preserve the rights of the insured in the private sector.

3- Additional pensions and value enhancement:

  • Establishing an additional pension system based on defined contributions for high-income insured individuals to improve pension value.

  • Linking the minimum pension to the minimum wage to ensure an adequate standard of living.

4- Periodic pension increases:

  • Addressing inflation effects by periodically increasing pensions at a rate linked to inflation, up to a maximum of 15%.

5- Encouraging irregular employment:

  • Exempting irregular workers from the employer’s share of social insurance contributions, which is covered by the state treasury.

6- Enhancing financial efficiency:

  • Resolving financial overlaps between social insurance, the state treasury, and the National Investment Bank, and preventing future overlaps.

  • Establishing a social insurance fund investment system managed by specialists in various fields, including real estate investment.

7- Modern pension disbursement services:

  • Providing pension disbursement services electronically through e-wallets in coordination with mobile companies.

8- Supporting financial inclusion and social justice:

  • Unifying social insurance laws under one comprehensive law to safeguard the rights of insured private-sector workers and prevent them from being denied their insurance rights for any reason.

  • Establishing a social insurance and pensions fund with a dedicated account for each type of insurance to ensure transparency and efficiency.

These benefits contribute to strengthening social protection for the private sector while providing comprehensive mechanisms to secure the financial and health future of workers and their families.

Therefore, social insurance in the private sector is essential as it provides employees with comprehensive protection through a range of rights and benefits that ensure their financial and health stability. By adhering to applicable laws and regulations and maintaining their insurance entitlements, employees can secure a safe future for themselves and their families upon retirement or in cases of disability or death. Additionally, understanding early retirement conditions and enjoying rights such as work leave and bonuses contribute to creating a stable and fair working environment. Ultimately, these systems enhance social justice and safeguard individual rights under various circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is there a pension in the private sector?

Yes, there is a pension in Egypt's private sector. Employees are entitled to a retirement pension under the social insurance system upon reaching the specified retirement age (currently 60 years, gradually increasing) or through early retirement if they meet the specified conditions, such as the required contribution period and minimum pension value.

  1. What is the minimum pension in the private sector?

The minimum pension in the private sector in Egypt is tied to the minimum insurance wage. The pension must not be less than 65% of this minimum wage, as stipulated by the Social Insurance Law.

  1. Is there an end-of-service gratuity in the private sector similar to the public sector?

Yes, there is an end-of-service gratuity in Egypt's private sector, and it is a legal entitlement under labor law. Employees receive this gratuity upon reaching 60 years of age or upon the termination of their service, based on the conditions specified in the contract or the law, taking into account the duration of service and the salary they were earning.