{"id":3014,"date":"2023-12-01T09:01:23","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T09:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/?p=3014"},"modified":"2024-09-03T09:54:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T08:54:23","slug":"real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<header class=\"entry-header bg-adp-tan block--article-header alignfull block--article-header\" >\n\n  \n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full entry--image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1278\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-1600x1065.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BM10FK-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group entry--title-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"entry--social-share\">\n  <ul>\n    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/&#038;t=How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/facebook.svg\" alt=\"Facebook logo - click to share this article on Facebook\"><\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds&#038;url=https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/twitter.svg\" alt=\"Twitter logo - click to share this article on Twitter\"><\/a><\/li>\n    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frethinkq.adp.com%2Freal-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt%2F\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/themes\/rethink-quarterly\/img\/linkedin.svg\" alt=\"LinkedIn logo - click to share this article on Facebook\"><\/a><\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n          <span class=\"entry--tag tag-style\">Real People Talk Pay<\/span>\n    \n  <h1 class=\"entry-title\">How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds<\/h1>\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-summary-style\">This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  <div class=\"entry--meta content-width\">\n           <p class=\"authors\">By\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/toka-omar-qassem\/\">Toka Omar Qassem<\/a>\n\n             \n         \n     <\/p>\n    \n  \n  <p>1 December 2023  <span class=\"desktop-only\">\u2014<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/issue-10-trust\/\">Issue 10: Trust<\/a> \n  <\/div><!-- .entry-meta -->\n\n<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t<div class=\"entry-content content-width\">\n\n\n\n<p>Suez is one of Egypt\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/english.ahram.org.eg\/NewsContent\/32\/97\/397084\/Heritage\/Walks\/Suez-A-tale-of-an-ancient-Red-Sea-city.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ancient<\/a> port cities dating back to the Pharaonic era. Going by different names over the centuries, Suez is nestled at the closest meeting point between the Mediterranean and Red seas, making it an important trading center since ancient times for the Greeks, Romans and Ottomans.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--sidebar bg-adp-navy alignright\"><div class=\"block--sidebar__inner\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suez, Egypt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>100 Egyptian pounds (EGP) = $3.25&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Population of Suez: 774,000<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Population of Egypt: 112.9 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Official language: Arabic (Egyptian dialect)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Average monthly wage: <a href=\"https:\/\/english.ahram.org.eg\/News\/503365.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EGP 3,000<\/a> (for salaried private-sector workers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, the city\u2019s modern rise started with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The 193-kilometer canal is one of the world\u2019s most vital waterways connecting Europe and Asia, conveying 12% of all international trade, with the city of Suez located at its southern entrance on the Red Sea. In 2021, the canal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/international\/revenues-of-egypt-s-suez-canal-hit-record-6-3-billion-in-2021-122010300181_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">generated<\/a> a record $6.3 billion in revenue, with about 20,700 ships carrying 1.3 billion tons of goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The canal\u2019s value contributed to conflicts among Egypt, Great Britain, France and Israel, which left the city of Suez in ruins. Its residents weathered attacks after the canal&#8217;s nationalization in 1956 and during fighting between 1967 and 1973, steadfastly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1977\/10\/22\/archives\/city-on-suez-canal-rebuilding-after-destruction-of-3-wars.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rebuilding<\/a> their houses by the mid-1970s. Today, Suez is home to about 774,000 residents, many of whom work in shipping and trade, fishing and manufacturing. We met six of them to learn more about their jobs, paychecks and future plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Badran-Egypt-Suez03.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mohamed Badran, 53&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salvage trader&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our profession has existed since the opening of the Suez Canal. Vessels transiting the canal usually have lots of stock gear and solid waste on board, which they sell to us in packages. We sort it and keep whatever we can sell as used gear to the local fishermen. The rest we sell to scrap traders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I fell in love with this <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ship_chandler\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ship chandler<\/a> profession when I was 12 years old, as I used to help in my father\u2019s used ship-equipment store. He would give me 5 EGP or 10 EGP per day depending on how satisfied he was with my performance. I always saved that money, and after five years or so, I managed to raise 3,000 EGP ($100), and I handled it as great wealth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My effort was paying off. I began considering starting my own business and opened my own used ship-equipment store in 1994. Despite selling the ship equipment at half the original price, the recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/2023\/04\/05\/the-egyptian-pound-is-amongst-the-worst-performing-currencies-in-2023.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Egyptian pound devaluation<\/a> greatly affected us. We buy the ship waste in U.S. dollars, and its value is increasing. So if, for example, I\u2019m selling a 1 kg anchor for $1, it would still be expensive for the customer. But a new 1 kg anchor would cost $6 or $7 on average.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, I cherish this profession as it runs in specific Suez families. We sometimes get antique pieces that would be 50 or 60 years old, which I hugely value. Besides, we, as traders, are usually looking after each other. For example, if I have a missing object, I can take it from another trader and pay for it when I sell it. We stand together because we never have all the needed parts for our customers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"606\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-1024x606.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-1600x947.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02-1536x909.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rana-Mohamed-Egypt-Suez02.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rana Mohamed, 32&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Architect at a petroleum company<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I got hired for the first time at the petroleum company after finishing my bachelor&#8217;s studies in architecture in August 2013. I still work there, as the company is one of the oldest here in Suez, and many of our residents work in the petroleum sector.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I feel like I belong to this place. This is where I make my living and where my father and grandfather worked. The company dates back to British colonization in the early 20th century. It is so exciting to renovate or maintain any of our buildings. I feel like I\u2019m working in a historical site, as many of the company\u2019s buildings were built by the British.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My very first salary was 800 EGP ($26) per month. I was so happy when I received it; I celebrated by giving my younger brother and sister 200 EGP ($6.50) each, in addition to buying some presents for the house.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only time I felt I was making the best of the money I earned was during Covid-19. The government decided that any mother with a child under 6 could stay home and receive her salary as usual. My son was 4 years old, so I stayed home and took all my paychecks as usual. That money helped me pay for a down payment for a new car, buy a gold ring and save some money as we didn\u2019t go out much, and our spending was only on our basic needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t plan long-term with my salary. I take it with one hand and pay for my car and any other expense installments with the other hand. I currently end up with about 2,000 EGP ($65) each month, and spend most of it on our house expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Mohamed-Ramadan-Egypt-Suez01.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mohamed Ramadan, 27<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seafood seller&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been working here for 13 years. I needed to work when I was 14 years old, and a relative brought me to this shop where we prepare seafood that you can only find here in Suez, like oysters and cockles that grow in the Red Sea. I started by helping around the place. Then, I gained the shop owner\u2019s trust, learned to prepare the mollusks, and eventually started selling our products to the customers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My first salary was 20 EGP ($0.65) per day. I would give my mother 10 or 15 pounds and keep the rest for myself. I remember taking a bonus back then that made a huge difference for me. We once had a busy day with customers, and I got 300 EGP ($10) for the first time at once. It was so exciting, and I paid for my bike installments with the money.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This job depends on the person\u2019s sincerity, honesty and commitment. When we get the seafood from the fishermen, we need to immediately clean, boil and prepare them as the weather is usually hot here, and they can get spoiled very easily. I love my job, as I feel happy when I see our customers satisfied, and it makes me feel that I\u2019m feeding my newborn son Halal money.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I currently get paid weekly. I use the paycheck of the first two weeks of the month for my household expenses. I use the money from the other two weeks to pay the rent and my share of the cooperative savings I\u2019m participating in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My income usually increases during the fishing season, from September to February. I used this increase for the past two years to pay for my marriage loans. And now that I\u2019m done with it, I\u2019m waiting for the season to start saving for the down payment on my future flat.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Amal-Abdoullah-Egypt-Suez02.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amal Abdullah, 49&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dressmaker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>My first job was long ago; I don\u2019t remember exactly when, but I was so young back then. I was a rice packaging worker in a rice mill here in Suez, and my paycheck was something nominal, around 60 to 80 EGP ($2 to $2.50) per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was thrilled when I got my first salary, as I felt like I earned it. I remember going out on payday with my colleagues to eat hawawshi, a traditional Egyptian dish, in our most popular neighborhood, Arba\u2019een, and hanging out for a bit before going home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I started my sewing career a year after that in a clothing factory. It was during the 1990s, and our paychecks were so low. But when I left the job and took the pension payout, it was the biggest money I ever got, and I bought my mother a new fridge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I got married and stayed home for a few years, until I had to work again to help my husband with the household expenses. I worked in different places and gave sewing classes until my friend, Lobna, opened this atelier about three years ago.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things have been going amazingly since then. We usually split the clothes-making profits.&nbsp; I was shy at the beginning, but now I socialize with the customers and enjoy the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of my pieces are special to me. When I see a dress or a blouse looking good on a customer, I forget the exhaustion of the job. It is not easy at all, and I practice it depending only on my talent. I wish I had more time to watch tutorials and learn more, and I want the atelier to grow and have more returning customers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Meena-Asaad-Egypt-Suez02.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Meena Asaad, 32&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Local government public relations officer and sports journalist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been blind since birth. I started working two days after finishing my senior year at the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University in 2011. I was a sports journalist for a website for five years. My first salary was 500 EGP ($16), and I remember inviting my family to a delicious dinner, as we usually celebrate with food.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was then hired at the Suez Governorate\u2019s media department in 2013. I usually cover official visits, decisions, meetings and tours, and write press releases about them for different news entities to use. I also have a part-time job with Al-Akhbar Braille magazine; I\u2019m responsible for the sports department. It was an extraordinary opportunity for me, as it\u2019s the first braille <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/1150326\/media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">magazine<\/a> for the visually impaired in the Middle East.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I divide my salary in a way that helps me participate in the household expenses and save some money in the bank. I also save extra money in the winter to spend in the summer season when I usually travel and go out more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People tend to over-help people with special needs here in Egypt. Whether out of pity, a feeling of responsibility or attempting to be kind, they usually think they should help us even if it would mean for us to come up short. Some people with special needs accept that treatment, which enforces this belief. But I don\u2019t. I proved myself from the first day at work and performed my duties. It helped change this mindset among my colleagues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My biggest dream is to be the first blind sports TV reporter. I have been working on it but haven\u2019t had the chance yet. I\u2019ll keep going until I find someone to support the idea and make my dream come true.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-1600x1066.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Rahma-Youssef-Egypt-Suez01.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rahma Youssef, 26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Elementary Arabic teacher&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I got my first job during my first year in college in 2015. I was supervising a kids&#8217; area with my sister, and we were responsible for managing the place. My salary was 400 EGP ($13) back then, and I remember getting my mother a gift and buying new clothes with my first paycheck, as I\u2019m obsessed with fashion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I never thought I would work as a teacher, but after graduation, I started doing accounting and teaching assistant duties in a private courses center for school children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That job was overwhelming, but it inspired me to earn a diploma in education a year later. After that, I gave online Arabic classes for school students for a year during the pandemic. Then, the school where I work now had an opening for an Arabic teacher, so I applied and got the job last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I make 1,800 EGP ($58) per month and can\u2019t plan anything with my salary. I spend it all by mid-month and usually borrow money from my family. Still, I love the job, as my interactions with the children have made me understand them and care more about their mental health. It is always a pleasure to befriend and teach the children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hardest thing about this job is when you try to work at a different pace. My supervisors care most about the schedule. They don\u2019t accept it if I get behind for a bit to help each student fully grasp the information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I plan on using my upcoming paychecks to understand more about psychology and make social media videos on children\u2019s mental health. We all had traumatizing memories from our school years, and I want to help raise new generations with a stable mental state.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--author\">      <div class=\"block-author__inner\">\n        <div class=\"author--image\">\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/toka-omar-qassem\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Toka-Omar-Qassem-298x305.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n        <div class=\"author--info\">\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/author\/toka-omar-qassem\/\" class=\"author--name\">Toka Omar Qassem<\/a>\n\n          \n          <p>Toka Omar Qassem is an Egyptian freelance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.behance.net\/tokaomarqassem\">multimedia journalist<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JAiSlBNkgu8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> documentary filmmaker<\/a>, and post-producer working with a number of regional and international media entities. She is also working as a teaching assistant at the American University in Cairo and has a Master&#8217;s degree in TV and Digital Journalism from the same institution. She is a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/helol_bel_ar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> DW constructive journalism ambassador<\/a>. You can find her on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/toka-omar-qassem-56386911a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n          <div class=\"block--author-social\"><ul class=\"author--socials\"><\/ul><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n       <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--recommended-content alignwide is-style-bg-adp-tan\"><div class=\"block-recommended-content__inner\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Read more<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/the-crisis-of-care\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/vladimir-fedotov-YLmPK-XA1cM-unsplash-1084x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">The crisis of care<\/span>\n          <p>Shortages, overtime, burnout: In the third year of the pandemic, health care workers are not OK. \n<\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-hong-kong\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/real-people-talk-pay-hong-kong-header-1084x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">How 6 people in Hong Kong earn their dollars<\/span>\n          <p>More than 7 million people live in this Special Administrative Region of China. <\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block--article-pushpoint pushpoint__small\">      <div class=\"block-article-pushpoint__inner\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/global-banking-infographics\/\">\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--image\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/CEECW4-web-1084x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"pushpoint--info\">\n                    <span class=\"pushpoint--title\">Global banking in 4 infographics<\/span>\n          <p>Financial inclusion is on the rise around the world, but barriers remain, especially in lower-income countries and among rural populations. \n<\/p>        <\/div>\n      <\/a><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-group alignfull section--sign-up has-background\" style=\"background-color:#7967ae\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><a href=\"\/sign-up\/\">Sign up<\/a> to keep up to date with ReThink Q.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3147,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[67,412,98,235,44,61],"coauthors":[395],"class_list":["post-3014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-people-talk-pay","tag-africa","tag-egypt","tag-global-economy","tag-middle-east","tag-payroll","tag-real-people-talk-pay","issue-issue-10-trust"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ADP ReThink Q\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"Toka Omar Qassem\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/rachel.codes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-12-01T09:01:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-09-03T08:54:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Toka Omar Qassem\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@rachelcodes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Toka Omar Qassem\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\",\"name\":\"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-12-01T09:01:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-09-03T08:54:23+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d0bb4ba3a0a65edfadebf728bbb547c1\"},\"description\":\"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/\",\"name\":\"ADP ReThink Q\",\"description\":\"Telling the human stories of payroll\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d0bb4ba3a0a65edfadebf728bbb547c1\",\"name\":\"rachel\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/699e6af4e3ba3b377022a080054acf94\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d89326a4b2185513249eaef9cb80ada89d65cf61b43b9868fcfa1be0f69530f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d89326a4b2185513249eaef9cb80ada89d65cf61b43b9868fcfa1be0f69530f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"rachel\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\",\"https:\/\/rachel.codes\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/rachelcodes\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q","description":"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q","og_description":"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.","og_url":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/","og_site_name":"ADP ReThink Q","article_publisher":"Toka Omar Qassem","article_author":"https:\/\/rachel.codes","article_published_time":"2023-12-01T09:01:23+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-09-03T08:54:23+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Toka Omar Qassem","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@rachelcodes","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Toka Omar Qassem","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/","url":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/","name":"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds - ADP ReThink Q","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg","datePublished":"2023-12-01T09:01:23+00:00","dateModified":"2024-09-03T08:54:23+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d0bb4ba3a0a65edfadebf728bbb547c1"},"description":"This important port city in Egypt, connecting Europe and Asia, is home to about 774,000 people.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/six-in-suez.jpg","width":1200,"height":800},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/real-people-talk-pay-suez-egypt\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How six people in Suez earn their Egyptian pounds"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/","name":"ADP ReThink Q","description":"Telling the human stories of payroll","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/d0bb4ba3a0a65edfadebf728bbb547c1","name":"rachel","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/699e6af4e3ba3b377022a080054acf94","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d89326a4b2185513249eaef9cb80ada89d65cf61b43b9868fcfa1be0f69530f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d89326a4b2185513249eaef9cb80ada89d65cf61b43b9868fcfa1be0f69530f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"rachel"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com","https:\/\/rachel.codes","https:\/\/x.com\/rachelcodes"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3014"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rethinkq.adp.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=3014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}