23 C. International Conventions Egypt is a party to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Interviews with several trade unions, the Egyptian Trade Union Federation and the Arab Labor Organization revealed little activity regarding child labor. The unions are active in the formal sector of the economy where they say child labor does not exist. For example, groups conduct training sessions to teach children a marketable skill in non-hazardous industries, such as sewing. They operate health clinics and literacy programs as well as child care centers for working mothers.
Campaigns are underway to raise public awareness of the detrimental effects of child labor.
Still other NGOs work to promote government enforcement of existing child labor laws, particularly prohibitions against children working excessive hours, at night, or in hazardous industries. Bills of lading were observed for approximately 50 orders going to cities scattered around the United States. 8 Dr. Adel Azer, et. The owner of a Cairo perfume store, oriented toward sales to tourists, stated that family members as young as 8 and 10 years old worked in processing perfumes and other wood and metal handicraft products. He said that while most of his products were sold directly to tourists, he would occasionally ship items to the United States for tourists that did not want carry them back.