Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Egypt Independent
Published on 2024-02-05 11:24:40
The Egyptian Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs, Soha al-Gendy, addressed a controversial proposal regarding the salaries of Egyptians working abroad on Sunday. The head of the Wafd Party, Abdel-Sanad Yamama, had sparked outrage on Wednesday with his proposal to issue a law requiring expatriates to transfer 20 percent of their monthly income in foreign currency to Egyptian banks to support the country’s economy.
In response to this, Gendy assured in statements reported by the Saudi Al-Arabiya news channel website that “remittances belong to Egyptians abroad.” She emphasized that the Egyptian state does not interfere at all in the remittances of Egyptians at home or abroad. Gendy also emphasized that the Ministry of Immigration motivates Egyptians abroad to associate with Egypt in various ways and that the rights of Egyptian citizens abroad are fully preserved.
It is important to note that Egyptian expatriates send back billions of dollars a year in remittances, making them an important source of hard currency. In fact, the Suez Canal, remittances from Egyptians living abroad, and the tourism sector are the main sources of foreign currency coming into the country.
This controversy raises important questions about the relationship between the Egyptian government and its citizens living abroad. On one hand, the government may be concerned with ensuring a steady flow of hard currency into the country to support its economy. On the other hand, expatriates may feel that they have a right to their earnings and should not be required to transfer a portion of their income to the Egyptian banks.
The issue also highlights the significant contribution that expatriates make to their home country through their remittances. These funds not only support the families and communities of the expatriates but also contribute to the overall economic well-being of Egypt.
It is clear that both the government and expatriates have legitimate concerns and interests in this matter. Therefore, finding a solution that balances the needs and rights of both parties is crucial. This may involve a dialogue between the government and expatriate communities to find a mutually beneficial agreement.
In conclusion, the proposal regarding the salaries of Egyptian expatriates has sparked controversy and raised important questions about the relationship between the government and its citizens living abroad. The issue of remittances is significant not only for the individuals sending them but also for the overall economy of Egypt. Finding a solution that respects the rights of expatriates while also addressing the economic needs of the country is essential. This may require open and constructive dialogue between the government and expatriate communities to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
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