The Ministry of Labor and talabat Egypt launch the second phase of distributing protective equipment to riders
By Eman Hamed
The Ministry of Labor, in collaboration with talabat Egypt, the leading technology platform for e-commerce in the Middle East and North Africa, announced the launch of the second phase of distributing occupational safety and protective equipment (helmets) to riders. The initiative comes as part of the “Your Safety Matters” campaign, in partnership with talabat’s logistics partners, and reflects the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to ensure adequate protection for irregular workers.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Labor, including Eng. Mohamed Montaser, Head of the Central Administration at the Ministry of Labour; Eng. Mahmoud Abu Beh, General Manager of the General Administration for Work Environment Safety; and Mr. Sayed El- Sharkawy, Head of the Labour Inspection Department and Director of the Cairo Labor Directorate.
In a statement delivered on his behalf by Eng. Mohamed Montaser, Minister of Labor Hassan El Raddad reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening the occupational safety and health system and providing a safe and decent working environment for all workers; particularly irregular labor, including delivery riders. He emphasized that partnerships between the public and private sectors represent a cornerstone in achieving both professional and social protection for workers in this vital sector.
He added that the “Your Safety Matters” initiative aims to embed a culture of occupational safety and health while enhancing both professional and social protection for delivery riders, who represent an active and growing segment of the labor market and play a key role in supporting the e-commerce ecosystem and everyday services. The Ministry has also rolled out several awareness and inspection campaigns to promote safety culture, alongside collaborating with delivery companies to provide essential protective gear such as helmets, reflective vests, gloves, and first aid kits, in addition to implementing mechanisms that ensure compliance with safety regulations and safe driving practices.
The Minister further highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive database for delivery riders as a step toward integrating them into the social protection system, including social and health insurance coverage and protection against workplace injuries, thereby enhancing their professional and social stability.
This initiative reflects a broader collaboration between the government and private sector to create a safer and more sustainable working environment through the provision of high-quality personal protective equipment that meets international safety standards, ensuring maximum protection for riders during their daily operations.
For her part, Hadeer Shalaby, Vice President and Managing Director of talabat Egypt, stated: “this initiative builds on the company’s ongoing efforts under the “Your Safety Matters” campaign, which has enabled talabat to further strengthen its role in supporting occupational safety and health standards for delivery riders. She expressed talabat’s pride in being among the first companies in Egypt to pioneer such initiatives in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor. She added that the company is committed to building on the positive outcomes of this partnership, contributing to embedding a culture of safety as a core pillar of the work environment and translating it into sustainable, on-ground practices.”
“This initiative comes as an extension of the efforts carried out under the ‘Your Safety Matters’ campaign launched by the Ministry of Labor, which has provided us with the opportunity to strengthen our role in supporting occupational safety and health standards for riders. We are keen to build on the positive outcomes achieved through our participation in this campaign, contributing to embedding a culture of safety as a fundamental part of the work environment and transforming it into sustainable, on-the-ground practices.”
She added: “In this context, we continue to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and our logistics partners to provide more personal protective equipment for riders, in addition to intensifying awareness and training programs. This contributes to raising compliance with safe behaviors during daily tasks, reducing potential risks, and enhancing a safer and more efficient work environment.”
To date, 6,000 units of protective equipment (helmets) have been distributed to riders, with ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Labor to ensure riders’ commitment to using them, helping reduce risks associated with the nature of their work. The company, in cooperation with its logistics partners, to expand the implementation of the initiative in the coming period to further support a sustainable, safe, and motivating work environment.
The event is part of a broader series of ongoing initiatives implemented by talabat Egypt in collaboration with its logistics partners, including training programs to promote safe driving practices, organizing “Road Safety Week,” conducting periodic medical check-ups, and recognizing riders who adhere to safety standards—further reinforcing a culture of preventive awareness and ensuring a safer work environment for all.
The Ministry of Labor affirmed that this initiative serves as a successful model of public-private sector collaboration in promoting a safe and sustainable work environment, with plans to expand and replicate this model across other companies operating in the delivery and e-commerce sectors. This contributes to strengthening occupational safety and health culture and achieving job security for thousands of young workers in this vital industry.
