Egypt: Benban Solar-02
Case Tracker
Complaint Overview
Former employee
Labor issues, working conditions and retaliation
Project Information
From IFC, $225 million.
Synopsis
The Benban Solar Park is a 36-square-kilometer area composed of 32 operational energy-generating power plants operated by different companies near the village of Benban in Egypt. IFC provided a debt package of $225 million, which supports the construction of 13 of the 41 solar power plants that form the Benban Solar Park. MIGA has 12 active guarantees for projects in the Benban Solar Park.
In June 2022, CAO received a complaint submitted by an individual who had been employed in various roles by Health and Safety Home (H&SH), a facility management company at the Benban Solar Park, citing concerns related to labor management, including the absence of a Labor Grievance Mechanism for H&SH and nepotism in relation to benefits, promotions, salary increases; working conditions, including quality, and quantity of the food; and retaliation for requesting raises or filing complaints.
In July 2022, CAO found the complaint eligible and conducted an assessment. During CAO’s assessment, the complainant and the Benban Solar Park representatives agreed to engage in a voluntary CAO dispute resolution process to address the issues raised in the complaint. In accordance with the CAO Policy, the case was transferred to CAO’s Dispute Resolution function. The Assessment Report is available in English and Arabic.
In July 2024, despite the parties' efforts to resolve the issues raised in the complaint, the dispute resolution process ended without agreement. The case was transferred to CAO’s Compliance function for appraisal to determine whether an investigation of IFC’s environmental and social performance is warranted concerning the issues raised in the complaint. The Conclusion Report is available in English and Arabic.
In September 2025, CAO completed its compliance appraisal and determined that a compliance investigation was not merited. CAO’s compliance appraisal identified preliminary indications of harm or potential harm related to the lack of a workers’ grievance mechanism and retaliation against workers who requested wage increases or submitted complaints. However, CAO did not find preliminary indications of harm or potential harm regarding allegations of nepotism affecting access to benefits, promotions, and salary increases, nor concerning poor working conditions related to inadequate food quality and quantity. Further, CAO found no preliminary indications of potential non-compliance with IFC and MIGA’s Environmental and Social (E&S) Policy regarding the allegations of a lack of a grievance mechanism, retaliation and all the other issues raised. Therefore, no plausible link was established between the alleged harm and potential non-compliance by IFC and MIGA. The Appraisal Report is available in English and Arabic.
Case closed after compliance appraisal.
Status as of September 29, 2025.