Although the Egyptian labour force working abroad is an
important asset for the country’s economy owing to their high remittances,
which amounted to US$3.02 billion in 2000/01, the problem of unemployment
in the country is exacerbated if remigration sets in suddenly, as happened in
the 1990s. A great proportion of the emigrants are fellaheen, like those who
worked in agriculture in Iraq. On their return they not only bring money
but also technical innovations which they introduce in their home villages.
However, those who had to flee from Iraq in 1991 came penniless, since they
had not been allowed to change their savings into hard currency and the local
currency became practically worthless overnight.
In 2003, according to the Egyptian Minister of Labour Force and Migra-
tion (cited in Al-Ahram Ektesady, 10 March 2003: 36), there were 1.9 million
Egyptians working in the Arab countries, including 900,000 in Saudi Arabia,
300,000 in Jordan, 250,000 in Kuwait, 70,000 in the Emirates, 55,000 in Iraq
and 20,000 in Qatar.