Syria refugee doctors have no chance to work in Egypt

Reporting by Eyad Al Jaafari: Translation by Yusra Ahmed

(Eqtsad)- It is not unfamiliar to find out that the cashier or the violinist in a restaurant is a Syrian doctor, or an engineer or even a teacher, used to have respectful life in Syria.

Unfortunately, as far as work is concerned, the best option professional Syrians can get, is opportunity to work illegally, making themselves subject to blackmailing by their bosses.

Things have become worse after the coup which threw Mohammad Mursi, because Syrians have been considered as pro-Muslim Brotherhood. That resulted in hardening opportunities for jobs, especially for highly skilled professionals like doctors, lawyers and engineers, while artisans and traders, sort of, managed to find bases for work and sources for income.

Law in Egypt is not flexible in granting official working permissions for Syrian professionals, moreover, the government started to put inapplicable conditions to get a work permission after the coup.

Dr. Salim, a dentist, from Hama, managed to get a job in a clinic after almost two years of joblessness. However, 4 months later, he was told that Egyptian government targeted Syrian doctors, and a 3-year imprisonment could be the punishment for any Syrian doctor work without an official permission.

Dr. Salim told Zaman al-Wasl his story: “I am a dentist from Hama, came to Egypt with my family as I left because of unclear future in Syria, out of $40 thousand, I spent $30 Thousand within 2 years of joblessness. Luckily I managed to get a job at a dentist clinic, in which I managed to achieve good professional development, which make me and a friend of mine well know in the area. However, it seems that local doctors did not like that and they informed the government about us, which put my friend under risk of detention, but an Egyptian lawyer sorted out the matter via his good relationships , that resulted in forcing my friend to pledge not to work again, and I had to leave my work as well”

Dr. Saleem sees the inapplicable requirements for Syrian doctors to get registration and license to work as doctors bases on a hidden agenda to prevent Syrian doctors from registration.

Dr. Salim thinks of going back to Syria, as he cannot tolerate staying longer jobless and tensed added to the high cost of living, moreover, he does not want to spent the rest of money he has.

Dr. Salim with his friend became well known in the city they worked in, because of their good work, which provoked some Egyptians to fight their success and informed the Egyptian Authority about them.

Dr, Salim is not happy with many Egyptian Dentists’ level of experience and skill, despite the unbelievable fees they request.