Mubarak: Reform is a strategic option

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak Tuesday said adherence to reform is an unshakable principle and a strategic option that lives up to the aspirations of the people and makes stability of the homeland one of the main priorities of the country.

Addressing May Day celebrations, President Mubarak called on all the Egyptian people to unite in defense of the future of democracy against attempts to ruin the chances ahead, in terms of resuming political and democratic reform in the country.

The initiative of amending article 76 of the constitution adds national responsibilities to the country, he said, pointing out that it requires positive political participation from everyone to ensure its success.

He pointed out that such modification has created dialogue and democratic activities, calling for maintaining such moves and having everyone take part in building a new and transparent future.

He called on all the political parties to start dialogue on such constitutional amendment within a merely national framework in a way that safeguards the rights of the people and meets the aspirations of the Egyptians to more freedom and democracy.

He asserted Egypt's keenness on the rights of labourers within the framework of a comprehensive socio-political framework the country has been committed to over the past two decades, to protect them from the international and local economic alteration.

He pointed out to his directives to the government to draw up a new and integral law for pensions that adds up to the achievements realized over the past few years.

He added that the new state budget will include an increase in pensions in conformity with the financial capacities of the current pension funds to ensure a better livelihood for labourers.

He asserted the need to develop the skills of Egyptian workers to be in harmony with international standards.

President Mubarak said May Day celebrations this year are being held amidst a decisive stage of national action in which clear cut achievements have been realized at the various axes, referring to the establishment of new industrial cities and infrastructure ventures in the fields of electricity, roads, transport, communications, water and sanitary drainage.

The President reviewed the main targets Egypt plans to realize in the near future, namely:

ÊÊÊ -Increasing the productivity of the Egyptian labourers who are considered the axes of development and renovation,

ÊÊÊ -Innovating industry and developing Egyptian products,

ÊÊÊ -promoting capabilities of merging into global trade and presence on regional and international markets,

ÊÊÊ -Continuing public investments with a new trend that aims at promoting their potentials and encouraging private local and foreign investments,

ÊÊÊ -Facilitating the development of the private sector which is considered a main partner in the economic growth process,

ÊÊÊ All these targets in fact aim at increasing the income of the labourer and raising the standard of his performance and productivity, the President said.

The President asserted the need to develop the health insurance system, pointing out that the number of people benefiting from it has exceeded 34 million including children, students and adults.

The health insurance umbrella should include all Egyptians, he said.

The ceremony started with recitation of Verses from the Holy Korean.

Chairman of Egypt Trade Union Federation (ETUF) el Sayed Rashed then delivered a speech on the occasion.

Rashed expressed Egypt's workers support for nominating President Mubarak for a new presidential term so that he may complete the march of building, development, modernization and reform.

Rashed, in the name of Egypt's workers, expressed gratitude and appreciation for President Mubarak's ceaseless efforts for building modern Egypt.

He said that President Mubarak was keen that accomplishments achieved over the past two decades would not affect any social imbalance of any kind.

Referring to President Mubarak's initiative to amend Article 76 of the Constitution, he said that change would have never been possible had it not been for the positive climate and political stability that Egypt enjoys and Mubarak's national programme that gives priority to development, modernization and reform.

Taking the floore, Minister of Manpower Ahmed el Amawi spoke of President Mubarak's unshakable and firm principles represented in his keenness of social justice, comprehensive development and independence of national decision.

He said that President Mubarak's historic decision to amend Article 76 of the Constitution enlarges the popular participation in making decisions of destiny.

The decision is a start of couragous bases for a better future, he added.

He said Egypt is a secure nation where law reigns supreme as no one is above the law, he said.

President Mubarak then decorated Veteran trade unionists and workers and afterwards addressed the ceremony dealing with the national process and aspirations of the Egyptian people.