Egypt suspends government services for alimony debtors

A Justice Ministry decree suspending government services for individuals finally convicted of refusing to pay alimony took effect at the beginning of October.

• Suspended services include professional driving and weapon licenses, medical facility licenses, industrial services, real estate notary services and tourism operation licenses.
• Suspension stays in place until the debtor pays arrears owed to beneficiaries or Nasser Social Bank and presents proof of clearance.
• The Family Insurance System Fund reported that about 24,000 debtors responded, with total arrears of roughly 275 million Egyptian pounds.
• The fund said it unified debtor data by linking with government bodies and activated an electronic reporting protocol with the prosecution.
• Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity announced it will deduct alimony arrears from debtors' pensions or salaries as part of new collection measures.