During a meeting led by Minister of Planning, Hala El-Said, Egypt’s National Wages Council (NWC) announced an upcoming increase in the minimum wage for private-sector workers. Starting from May 2024, the minimum wage will be set at EGP6,000 ($126). This decision demonstrates Egypt’s dedication to safeguarding workers’ interests, particularly in light of recent economic developments both domestically and internationally, stated El-Said.
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The Minister provided an overview of the historical progression of the private sector’s minimum wage. It began at EGP2,400 in January 2022 and was raised to EGP2,700 in January 2023. In July 2023, it was further increased to EGP3,000, and in January of the following year, it reached EGP3,500.
Now, the minimum wage has been raised to EGP6,000, encompassing all wage components, including the employer’s contribution to the insurance subscription. However, it’s important to note that micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees will be exempt from this decision.
This move aligns with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who has emphasized the importance of providing greater care, protection, and support for workers, as highlighted by Minister of Labor, Hassan Shehata.
In February, President El-Sisi previously increased Egypt’s minimum wage by 50 percent to EGP6,000 in order to alleviate the cost-of-living pressures faced by citizens.
Additionally, the Egyptian president has directed the implementation of a social protection package worth EGP180 billion, effective from March 2024. The presidential decision also mandates a minimum raise of EGP1,000 to EGP1,200 for all salaries of government employees.
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