Starting from June 10, 2024, Greece's Migration and Asylum Ministry will host an online platform where employers can submit applications to hire Egyptian seasonal workers in the agricultural sector. Additionally, the bilateral agreement procedure introduces two modifications regarding the permanent transfer process. These changes are outlined as follows:
1. 5000 worker positions across Greece are sourced from a shared "reservoir" and allocated by one-stop services during request processing.
2. A joint pool of potential workers, from which employers can select transfers, is curated and proposed by the Egyptian authorities based on criteria defined by Greek authorities, specifically the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
In 2023, the Greek government unveiled plans to enact new legislation aimed at modernizing the residency permit issuance process. These changes to residency permits stem from legislation designed to regularize the status of approximately 30,000 undocumented migrants. Eligibility requires migrants to demonstrate three years of residency and employment within the Hellenic Republic.
In March of this year, the European Union unveiled a "strategic partnership" with Egypt, alongside a €7.4 billion agreement aimed at curbing the migration flow from North Africa to Europe. Facing economic challenges due to its population of 106 million and constrained foreign investment, an increasing number of Egyptians are pursuing improved prospects overseas.
Criticism from human rights organizations has targeted Western backing of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who ascended to power a decade ago following the ousting of Egypt's inaugural democratically elected leader.