The private sector minimum wage will rise to EGP 7k starting March: The National Wages Council has decided to raise the minimum wage for private sector workers to EGP 7k a month, up from EGP 6k, starting March, according to a Planning Ministry statement.

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More wage reforms: The council also set the value of the bonus granted to employees at no less than 3% of their social ins. wage with a floor of EGP 250 per month.

And introducing a minimum wage for part-time workers: For the very first time, the council has introduced a minimum wage for part-time employees — they will now make no less than EGP 28 per hour.

DATA POINT- Some 80% of the 14 mn private sector employees will benefit from the wage hike, Planning Minister Rania Al Mashat told Kelma Akhira’s Lamees El Hadidi last night (watch, runtime: 12:14). The move marks the first time that a private sector wage hike preceded that of the public sector, Al Mashat said.

The move comes in response to recent economic developments in efforts to enhance economic and social stability, Planning Minister Rania Al Mashat said, adding that it aligns with intern standards.

ICYMI- The council last raised the minimum wage for private sector employees to EGP 6k a month, up from EGP 3.5k last May.

Remember: A raise in the public sector minimum is in the works, with an upcoming social protection package expected to raise the minimum wage by EGP 1.5k to EGP 7.5k, a senior government source told us earlier this month. The minimum wage for civil servants and workers at state-owned enterprises will go into effect in July as part of a wider social protection package.

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