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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in its reports. It also notes the comments made by the Federation of Egyptian Industries on the subject of a plan concerning the protection of nursing staff against the transmission of diseases.

In its comments, the Federation alleges that the Ministry of Labour and the representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations have prepared a clear and well-designed plan concerning the protection of nursing staff against transmission of diseases. It also indicates that periodical inspections are held in application of the protective measures and that the results of the inspections are sent to the competent authorities. The Committee requests the Government to send it a copy of the plan as well as information on its practical application, such as inspection reports and statistics.

In addition, the Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 2, paragraph 2(b), of the Convention.  In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the project on the classification of nursing jobs in the regions, developed by the Department of Nursing Care of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the trade union of nursing personnel was under final consideration by the Central Management and Administrative Body. The Committee notes again the information supplied by the Government to the effect that the final text of this instrument will be supplied as soon as adopted.

The Committee also noted that by virtue of decision No. 289 of 1995 taken by the president of the Central Management and Administrative Body in regard to reassessment of a number of posts in the Ministry of Health, the level of the post of General Director of Nursing Care has been raised to Head of Central Management of Nursing Care, with two administrative units. In relation to the Committee’s previous comments on whether there are any laws or regulations applicable to nursing personnel in both the public and private sectors which are likely to attract persons to the profession and retain them in it, the Committee noted the information supplied by the Government that:

-  by virtue of Order No. 534 of 1983 of the Minister of Health incentives are granted to nursing personnel for exceptional efforts;

-  a few private hospitals pay wages and bonuses representing 400 per cent to 600 per cent, on average, of a nurse’s wage in the public sector, and thus the General Administration of Nursing at the Ministry of Health is exerting efforts to increase the level of bonuses in this sector to reduce the number of nursing personnel leaving the profession. The Government also indicates that in the light of Order No. 2072, 1993, of the President of the Council of Ministers, it raised infection risk allowances to 180, 120 and 96 Egyptian pounds a year, according to professional grade;

-  a proposal has been submitted by the Minister of Health, and accepted to increase the allowance to graduates of the Institutes of Nursing in order to prevent 30 per cent of them from leaving their profession due to the initial starting salary prescribed in the public sector;

-  the infection risk allowance for nursing personnel was increased by 360 Egyptian pounds a year to a maximum of 40 per cent of the initial starting salary fixed for the job.

The Government also stated that the Central Management and Administrative Body was currently examining this issue with a view to stemming the flow of nursing personnel leaving the public sector. The Committee requests the Government again to keep it informed on the application of this provision of the Convention.

Article 5, paragraph 3.  In its previous comments, the Committee noted that sections 93 to 106 of the 1981 Labour Code cover the settlement of labour disputes. The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government to the effect that sections 93 to 106 of the Labour Code apply also to all workers in the public sector, in accordance with section 1 of Act No. 48 of 1978 on employees in the public sector. However, the Committee notes again that section 3(a) of the Labour Code provides that "the provisions of the present law shall not apply to: (a) persons working in the administrative bodies of the State, local government units and local public bodies, except for the provisions stipulated in Chapter 5 entitled ‘Occupational Health and Safety’ and provisions to be adopted by a Decree of the President". Consequently, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would take the necessary measures to bring national legislation into conformity with the Convention on this point.

Article 7.  In its previous comments, the Committee noted that, according to the information supplied by the Government, Chapter 5 of the Labour Code relating to occupational health and safety, has been amended by a new Labour Code. The Government stated that a copy of the new provisions would be supplied as soon as they were published. In the context of its 1990 general observation, reiterated in 1994, the Committee noted that the General Administration of Nursing Care of the Ministry of Health held a conference in 1994 on the role of nurses in limiting the spread of the HIV infection. The Government indicated that it had decided at that conference to ensure the participation of nursing personnel in symposia, to hold practical workshops and to prioritize the formulation of training plans in order to obtain the most recent information regarding HIV and to upgrade the level of knowledge and skills of nursing personnel in order to avoid situations of exposure to this virus while performing their duties.

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government that it will provide information on this subject as soon as it is possible. The Committee therefore requests the Government again to inform it of measures taken or envisaged in regard to nursing personnel infected or considered to be infected by HIV (adaptation of employment conditions, etc.).

Part V of the report form.  The Committee notes with interest the statistical data supplied by the Government in its report. It requests the Government to continue to communicate such statistics and to provide data on the number of persons who abandoned the profession, particularly in the public sector.