What about the economy?

While Egyptians are taking to the streets to protest against the way the new constitution is being passed, Nesma Nowar reports on how the people's economic and social rights are being overlooked in the draft

After a process that lasted six months, the Constituent Assembly has approved Egypt's final draft constitution that will go to a national referendum 15 December. However, the draft has faced much criticism as far as economy is concerned.

Article 14 to Article 30 stipulate the economic principles of the state. According to Article 14, the national economy aims at achieving sustainable development, increasing living standards, eliminating poverty and unemployment, and increasing job opportunities and production.

The state's developmental plan is set to work on establishing social justice and solidarity, ensuring equitable distribution, dividing development costs between capital and labour and sharing revenues justly. The article also recommends the protection of consumer and labour rights.

The article adds that wages should be linked to production while the state should bridge income gaps and guarantee a minimum wage that would secure decent living standards for citizens and a maximum wage in civil service positions with exemptions regulated by law.

Other articles pledge state protection of agriculture, industry, natural resources, the River Nile, seas, beaches, public funds, ownership of public, cooperative and private property and endowments.

Many economic experts have voiced their reservations on the position of the economy in Egypt's new constitution.