Egypt's first-ever minimum wage for private-sector workers to be effective next January
21 December 2021
Egypt's National Wages Council (NWC) announced in its meeting today (Tuesday) headed by Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; as of January 1, 2022, the minimum wage will be applied in the private sector.The Council also agreed in its meeting today to determine the value of the periodic increment in the amount of 3% of the insurance wage, i.e. EGP 70 as a minimum, which is applied to all private sector establishments in a balanced manner according to the accounting financial year of each establishment.During the meeting, members of the National Wages Council agreed that the decision of the National Wages Council to set the minimum wage for workers in the private sector at EGP 2,400 will be mandatory for private sector establishments as of January 2022.Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Chairperson of the National Wages Council stated that the announcement of the start of implementing the minimum wage in the private sector is an important and unprecedented step in activating the tasks of the National Wages Council.El-Said pointed out that the council tried, through its various committees, to achieve a balance between the rights of workers to obtain an appropriate wage that guarantees an adequate standard of living.El-Said added that the decisions of the National Council for Wages will be binding according to the new labor law that was discussed in the Senate, and will be discussed in the House of Representatives within weeks.El-Said explained that the council includes a balanced representation of all parties from the relevant ministries, representatives of the private sector, chambers of commerce, the Federation of Industries, and the Federation of Egyptian Workers.
El-Said thanked all members of the Council for their efforts in deciding to determine the minimum and the value of the periodic bonus