Egypt's Committee of 50 abolishes constitutional guarantee for workers and peasants

Egypt’s Committee of 50 has decided to abolish an article in the former constitution dictating that workers and farmers occupy at least 50 per cent of parliamentary seats. The military backed committee was appointed to amend the 2012 constitution, which was suspended after the ousting of elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in a military coup on 3 July.

The decision was approved by the majority of members during a secret session, with 32 votes in favour of abolishing the article, while only six members voted to retain the guarantee for workers and peasants.

Amr Moussa, the head of the Committee of 50, explained that: “the decision does not permanently abolish the required allocation of parliamentary seats to workers and farmers. However, it is a proposal to reduce the workers and farmers proportion for a transitional period.”