A proposed law to amend certain provisions of the 2021 law on conditions for holding and maintaining public jobs has been submitted to the Egyptian parliament. The law, proposed by MP Ahmed Bilal Al-Barlusi, aims to introduce a more nuanced approach to addressing drug use among employees. Al-Barlusi, a member of the parliament, appeared on a local TV program "Min Maspero" to discuss the proposed changes. He emphasized that the goal is not to soften the stance on tackling drug use but to ensure a fairer and more accurate process.
The current law, enacted in 2021, allows for the dismissal of employees who test positive for drugs. However, Al-Barlusi argues that this approach has led to the unjustified dismissal of thousands of employees, many of whom may have been incorrectly accused or were taking prescribed medication. He expressed concerns that the law has caused significant hardship for many families. Al-Barlusi stated that he had opposed the original law, describing it as a "death sentence" for many Egyptian families.
Al-Barlusi highlighted several issues with the current law, including the lack of thorough investigations and the reliance on a single technical report from a laboratory test. He argued that this approach does not allow for a fair defense or appeal process. The proposed law seeks to address these concerns by introducing a more gradual approach to penalties and providing employees with greater protection. Al-Barlusi emphasized that the aim is to balance the need to address drug use with the need to protect employees' rights.
The proposed law suggests that penalties should be increased for repeat offenders. However, Al-Barlusi noted that the state's approach should prioritize treatment and rehabilitation over punishment. He praised the efforts of the Egyptian Addiction Cure Fund, which provides support for those struggling with addiction. The fund's work, he argued, demonstrates that treatment is a more effective and humane approach than dismissal.
Al-Barlusi revealed that many employees who have been dismissed under the current law were later found to be innocent. He cited cases where employees were taking prescribed medication or had been incorrectly accused. The proposed law aims to prevent such miscarriages of justice by introducing a more rigorous and fair process.
The lawmaker emphasized that the proposed changes are not intended to undermine efforts to tackle drug use but rather to ensure that the process is fair and just. He called for a more nuanced approach that takes into account the complexities of addiction and the need for treatment. The proposed law has sparked a national debate about the best way to address drug use among employees.
The Egyptian government has not yet announced its stance on the proposed law. However, the debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks. The issue has sparked a wider discussion about the need for a balanced approach that addresses the root causes of addiction and provides support for those affected.
Key points
- The proposed law aims to introduce a more nuanced approach to addressing drug use among employees.
- The current law has led to the dismissal of thousands of employees, many of whom may have been incorrectly accused.
- The proposed law seeks to balance the need to address drug use with the need to protect employees' rights.
