LEGISLATION WATCH- House to look at family planning in the next House session: House of Representatives Economic Committee Chair Mohamed El Emary has drafted a new law that would set incentives for those willing to cap their reproduction at two children, he tells Al Shorouk. The law would not work in the vein of China’s two-child policy, as it would not punish families with more than two children, said El Emary, adding that such a move would be unconstitutional. The law already has support from some 60 House representatives and will be the subject of parliamentary hearings and a national dialogue, he added.

Maternity leave, working hours for women, and child labor to be looked at: Meanwhile, the House Labor Committee is reviewing the long-languishing Labor Act with an eye to introducing amendments which would impact maternity leave and working hours for women, committee chair Gabaly El Maraghy tells Youm7. While he did not specify what those changes might entail, he added that the amendments would seek to improve working conditions for women. He noted that the act would seek to limit the hiring of children and would set requirements for apprenticeships and vocational training for children unable to attend school and leave work.