At the Papal headquarter in the grounds of St Mark Cathedral In Abbassiya, Cairo, Pope Tawadros II signed a protocol that involved two cooperation agreements between the Coptic Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical, and Social Services (BLESS) and Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower, represented by its Minister, Muhammad Saafan.
The first agreement concerns promotion of a culture of safety first, occupational health, and development of skills; whereas the second centres on spreading the culture of freelancing and entrepreneurship, in line with presidential initiatives that aim at affording decent life for Egyptians. The agreements make use of the
Church’s activity and experience in human development and those of the Ministry of Manpower.
According to Anba Yulius, Bishop and director of BLESS, the agreements offer training opportunities to 800 young men and women annually. The training focuses on digital and communication skills, also on jobs in high demand on the market, such as plumbing and electricity work. The Ministry would grant accreditation to the vocational training centres of BLESS, giving graduates an edge in the job market and the legality to practise the professions they trained on.
The agreements also would allow Muslim and Christian young people to participate in the employment forums held by BLESS or by the Ministry, thus widening the scope of opportunity, and would enable Coptic irregular workers to take advantage of benefits offered by the Ministry of Manpower.
Pope Tawadros said that he highly valued all joint efforts by governmental authorities and the Coptic Orthodox Church.
The Coptic Orthodox Church has already signed cooperation protocols with the Ministry of Emigration and the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
As the signing ceremony came to a close, the Pope and Minister exchanged shields and gifts.
Watani International
11 July 2021