Egyptian Minister of Finance Dr. Samir Radwan said, “We can't raise the minimum wage to 1,200 EGP (U.S. $201.9) in the upcoming financial year. That will increase the burden on the public budget by 237 million EGP (U.S. $40 million).” “700 EGP (U.S. $117.8) is the minimum wage which is equivalent to the poverty line,” Radwan said. “It aims to lift 1.9 million people below the poverty line to above the line.” Dr. Radwan added that the International Labor Organization congratulated Egypt for focusing on minimum wages, which if the first step towards reform in the current system of wages. However this isn't the end .For each worker, the minimum wage will increase annually until it reaches 1,200 EGP (U.S. $201.9) per month in approximately five years. The Finance Minister said increasing the minimum wage will include more categories. He said governmental high salaries will make it an attractive sector. But Radwan encourages working for private sectors and making small investments. Meanwhile he said the Egyptian government will support exporting in a new budget, but not through direct support as it was in previous years, but by providing skillful manpower and large services such as roads.
