New Deal for Fellahin

For 5,000 years or more the status of Egypt's fellahin has been virtually unchanged--at the bottom of the heap. Last week brought them a ray of light: Egypt became the first Arab or Asiatic country with a social security plan. King Farouk himself distributed the first social security books. The plan provides a retirement pension (maximum amount: $85 a year) for all workers at the age of 65; special benefits for widows, orphans and the disabled--but not for the unemployed. Unlike Americans, Egyptians will get full benefits only if they have no other income. Estimated cost to the Egyptian state: $18 million a year.

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