{"id":563693,"date":"2021-07-13T04:00:49","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T04:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2021\/07\/13\/a-busy-day-in-the-house-2\/"},"modified":"2021-07-13T04:00:49","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T04:00:49","slug":"a-busy-day-in-the-house-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2021\/07\/13\/a-busy-day-in-the-house-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A busy day in the House"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a> People found guilty of [redacted] harassment will now face tougher penalties<\/strong> after the House of Representatives yesterday approved amendments to the penal code, Youm7<\/a> reports. Under the old law, offenders would receive a minimum one-year jail sentence and a EGP 10k-20k fine. The amendments<\/a> raise the sentences significantly, handing harassers minimum five-year prison terms and fines worth EGP 200k-300k. Minimum seven-year jail sentences will be handed to people who collaborate with others, use weapons or have professional or personal authority over the victim. Reuters<\/a> also took note of the story.<\/p>\n

But some are questioning how the law will be enforced:<\/strong> Women\u2019s rights groups have welcomed the stronger laws, but warned that the penalties won\u2019t mean much unless they are enforced and awareness is raised about the issues of harassment, Reuters<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers also gave their final approval to amendments that hand the presidency the <\/strong>authority to dismiss state employees without disciplinary action<\/strong>, Al Shorouk<\/a> reports. The amendments to the Civil Service Act would allow those with suspected links with any terrorist organization to be temporarily suspended from their positions for up to six months and have half of their pay docked while an investigation is conducted. Employees will be permanently fired if these links are proven correct but will be able to appeal the decision before administrative courts. The bill was initially approved by the House<\/a> in late June and came in response to several rail incidents, which Transport Minister Kamel El Wazir claimed were due to \u201cextremist elements\u201d in the Railways Authority<\/a>. The story got coverage in Reuters<\/a> and TRT World<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ALSO GETTING THE HOUSE\u2019S APPROVAL<\/strong><\/p>\n