Planning, Labor Ministers Discuss Minimum Wage Implementation

H.E.Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Chair of the National Council for Wages, met with Mr. Hassan Shehata, Minister of Labor, at the headquarters of the Ministry. The ministers discussed joint files between the two ministries, including the progress of implementing National Council for Wages Decision No. 27 of 2024, which raises the minimum wage in the private sector from 3,500 to 6,000 EGP, effective May 1, 2024.

Dr. Hala El-Said emphasized the state's commitment to ensuring job security for workers, maintaining the stability of enterprises, and protecting the interests of business owners. She noted that the National Council for Wages includes representatives of workers and business owners, and decisions are made by consensus. The council also has a mechanism for appealing any decision to ensure the best level of decision implementation that benefits everyone. The Minister of Planning highlighted the state's support for the private sector, especially companies that export their products abroad and comply with international standards in implementing the minimum wage. She mentioned a full understanding of the requests from these companies, as well as non-governmental organizations and other institutions that have contacted the council. All appeals and requests for exemption from the minimum wage will be considered and addressed. During the meeting, Dr. El-Said praised the Ministry of Labor's achievements and the international acclaim for the status of labor in Egypt, which positively impacts investment. She explained that the National Council for Wages includes representation from the National Council for Women, ensuring that all segments of society concerned with labor issues, along with the two main parties in the production process - employers and workers - are involved.

For his part, Minister of Labor Hassan Shehata confirmed that the ministry received exemption requests from some enterprises regarding the implementation of the minimum wage decision. These requests will be reviewed and presented to the National Council for Wages in its first meeting to make the necessary decisions. Minister Shehata pointed out the international praise received for the council's decisions during the 112th session of the International Labor Conference, currently being held in Geneva from June 3 to 14, with the participation of representatives from governments, employers, and workers worldwide. Particularly, the decisions to raise the minimum wage and ensure gender pay equality were commended. Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), praised the Egyptian state's steps toward quickly issuing labor laws to enhance job security for workers, strengthen labor relations, and encourage investment.

The meeting was attended by Counselor Mohamed Aba Zeid, Legal Advisor to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Counselor Shady Mousa, Legal Advisor to the National Council for Wages, Dr. Hanan Nazeer, Advisor to the National Council for Wages, Dr. Mohamed El-Akabi, Media Advisor to the Minister of Planning, and Abdel Wahab Khader, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor.