The Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation of the outgoing caretaker Government of National Unity (GNU), Ali Al-Abed, revealed that the first group of Egyptian workers will arrive in Libya after the end of the Eid Al-Fitr vacation.
In statements to Al-Ain, Al-Abed explained that the companies will start sending their workers to work in Libya after Eid Al-Fitr. They contracted and obtained permission from the Audit Bureau to start implementing projects.
Al-Abed indicated that he met with the Egyptian Minister of Manpower on Thursday. They reviewed the Ministry’s work plan in transporting the workers to Libya. They also discussed the joint committees and the electronic linkage between the two countries.
During the meeting, they spoke about facilitating procedures for workers who want totravel to Libya.
Al-Abed noted that he met with a coalition of companies contracting with the project implementation agencies of the Ministry of Housing and Transportation in Libya, as well as the representatives of the Egyptian Ministry of Manpower.
He added that the procedures and provisions are now being completed.
Al-Abed further explained that the first phase of the Egyptian labour transfer plan to Libya targets about one million workers, and the second phase will be estimated after the completion of the first phase.
Al-Abed revealed that after Eid Al-Fitr, several projects will be implemented, the first of which is the Third Ring project in Tripoli. This phase includes approximately 2,500 Egyptian workers, with 30% Libyan labour as employment, and 20% Libyan labour as training in accordance with the law.
He noted that this coalition will implement about six projects, but the start will be through the Third Ring project in Tripoli. It is inhabited by about three million citizens – almost half of the population – as an experiment to study the problems that the projects may face and then start other projects in implementation.
Al-Abed explained that after the revolution, Libya did not witness any development projects in 10 years. Therefore it launched a plan to return to life, in which several Egyptian companies will participate.
He noted that the situation in Libya is safe, and that even if the ministerial portfolios change, the projects will continue to be implemented. He added that the agreement is with agencies and they are stable.
Al-Abded stated that the agreements were in the name of the state and not in the name of governments or people.
He pointed out that these projects have been approved and funds have been allocated to them, in the name of companies and businesses. Matters are stable, and political matters have not affected the projects, he noted.
He explained that the oil sector is the only source of income in Libya and represents 97% of the income like any other sector, it has been affected by political tensions and divisions. Despite that, it is unified, and exports and production have increased to about one million and 200,000 barrels of oil per day.