MPs are giving contractors a break, approving in principle yesterday amendments that would allow builders who have suffered losses on state projects due to recent economic reforms to receive compensation from the government.

Widening the scope: A 2017 law⁠ ⁠— which was originally drafted for economic reforms undertaken between March and December 2016 — will be extended to cover all periods of reform. That means a contractor impacted by the impact of year’s EGP float on its work on a state project will be able to file a compensation claim. The bill will set up a designated committee to assess claims, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Alaa El Din Fouad said. Contractors who have their complaints rejected would be able to resort to courts to ask for compensation, he said. Senators approved the bill last month.

What’s next: House Speaker Hanafi El Gebali said the bill will be up for a final approval vote in an upcoming session. If passed, it will be signed into law by President El Sisi.

ALSO GETTING A NOD- MPs also approved in principle a law restructuring Al Azhar. The three-article bill would put Al Azhar’s teachers on an equal footing with their counterparts in public schools in terms of employment, promotion, salaries, bonuses and incentives. A final approval of the bill will be postponed to an upcoming session.