National Wage Council appoints foreign wage experts

Mostafa Salem
2 Min Read
An Egyptian man holds a sign calling for a higher minimum wage during a protest outside the parliament building in downtown Cairo on May 2, 2010. Several hundred protesters demonstrated outside government offices in central Cairo, demanding a monthly minimum wage of 1,200 pounds (218 US dollars) amid a heavy police presence. (AFP PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI)
An Egyptian man holds a sign calling for a higher minimum wage during a protest outside the parliament building in downtown Cairo on May 2, 2010.  Several demonstrations were staged in years leading to the 2011 revolution in demand of a monthly minimum wage of 1,200 pounds. The government’s decision, although aimed to placate workers, was met with decry as living expenses soared, and a maximum ceiling for public officials was not set.  (AFP FILE PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI)
An Egyptian man holds a sign calling for a higher minimum wage during a protest outside the parliament building in downtown Cairo on May 2, 2010.
 (AFP FILE PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI)

The National Wage Council (NWC) decided on Monday to employ foreign and Egyptian experts to study the minimum wage issue and implement a plan.

Egyptian Trade Union Federation Chairman Abdel Fatah Ibrahim expressed his discontent with the government’s decision to set the minimum income at EGP 1200: “The union rejects the government’s decision of setting a minimum income at EGP 1,200 without setting a maximum income ceiling.”

Ibrahim said: “The minimum income decision, which was approved by the government, is unjust because it would apply only to government workers and public sector workers; who amount to 6 million, while there are 20 million workers within the private sector and informal employees who are not subject to the minimum income.”

“This limit does not achieve the hopes and aspirations of workers,” he added.

Minister of Planning Dr Ashraf El-Araby stressed on “the government’s willingness to listen to all parties,” and called on reaching effective solutions during the meeting.

“The system of wages in Egypt needs urgent reform and labour legislation urgently needs adjustments” Araby added.

According to state-run news agency MENA, Chairman of the Federation of Industries Engineer Mohammed Al-Suwaidi said that a study is currently being conducted on the minimum income and its results will be displayed… the study focuses on the implementation of the minimum income in the private sector.

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