Tension built up the cabinet after the parliament overturned the Civil Service Law, days before the Prime Minister is scheduled to present to parliament the cabinet programme that is set to determine its fate, according to sources in the government.
Cabinet spokesperson Ayman Salah said the government is awaiting the text stating the parliament’s reasons for declining the law, so the cabinet can present a revised version in its programme. He did not rule out the possibility that the government would submit its programme without a Civil Service Law, if negotiations between the government and the parliament do not reach a middle ground before presenting the programme.
Salah told Daily News Egypt Prime Minister Sherif Ismail will present the government’s programme to the parliament after the president addresses the House of Representatives.
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi will deliver a speech before parliament on 28 January but the presidency has not issued a formal statement confirming this yet.
The government was relying on the Civil Service Law to reform the administrative apparatus of the state and regulate promotions, incentives, and wages based on production, with regulations for appointments within the government.
“The government is committed to administrative reform in parallel with economic, political, and social reforms to achieve sustainable development,” Salah said.
The cabinet’s press statement on Friday refuted rumours that the salaries of the government’s administrative system employees were delayed as a result of the parliament overturning the law. Salaries for January and February will be disbursed in a timely manner without delay, the statement read.
Salah said Ismail tasked the Ministers of Planning and Finance to pen scenarios to amend the law in accordance with the expected observations of the parliament, and to avoid any negative effects that may occur until a final legislation is approved by the parliament.
