Empowering Growth: Integrating People of Determination into Egypt’s Thriving Outsourcing Sector
As Egypt’s outsourcing sector experiences rapid expansion, the integration of more people of determination (individuals with disabilities) presents an unprecedented opportunity to fuel economic development and strengthen social equity.
According to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the proportion of people with disabilities in Egypt reached approximately 10.6% of the total population by the end of 2023.
This highlights the critical importance of integrating this segment into the job market, especially in flexible and evolving sectors like outsourcing and call centers.
A Boom in the Outsourcing Sector
The Egyptian outsourcing sector has undergone a significant transformation since 2021. The number of companies operating in the field has increased by over 180%, with local outsourcing companies growing from just 64 to more than 180.
Additionally, over 200 new call centers have been established in the local market, according to reports from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The call center sector is particularly well-suited to accommodate people of determination. Estimates suggest that over 60% of available positions can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities, both technically and administratively.
Tangible Benefits for the Workplace
The positive impact of integrating people of determination extends beyond social aspects, reflecting favorably on company performance.
Organizations that have implemented inclusive policies have seen a reduction in employee turnover rates by up to 30%, alongside an increase in commitment and productivity rates of 25% among employees with disabilities.
These initiatives have also enhanced the corporate image of these companies and their role in corporate social responsibility, especially given the growing interest of customers and investors in the social dimension of development.
Leading Companies Take Initiative
Major companies such as Teleperformance Egypt, Raya Contact Center, and Xceed have initiated specialized programs for recruiting and qualifying people of determination.
The programs offered by these companies include:
- Training courses in sign language and assistive audio/visual aids.
- Adapting workplace infrastructure to accommodate the needs of employees with disabilities.
- Providing clear opportunities for promotion and professional development.
- Effective technological integration to facilitate daily task performance.
Inspiring International Experiences
Globally, India and the Philippines stand out as leading models in integrating people with disabilities into the outsourcing industry.
- In India, major BPO companies employ over 10,000 people of determination, including a significant number of visually impaired individuals in customer service roles.
- The Philippines has taken encouraging steps, such as offering tax incentives to companies that employ more than 3% of their workforce from people with disabilities. They also provide continuous psychological and professional support and collaborate with international rehabilitation organizations to ensure sustainable integration.
This widespread integration not only fosters a more inclusive society but also contributes directly to the economic vitality of the outsourcing sector.
How do you think more Egyptian companies can be encouraged to follow these pioneering examples?
