Few days after Egyptian President Abdul Fattah el-Sisi raised the minimum wage and salaries of public sector employees, the government plans to adopt the necessary legislative bills to activate the presidential pledges and refer them to the parliament to enter into force in July.
On Sunday, Sisi increased the minimum wage for Egypt's over five million public employees by 66.7 percent to EGP 2,000, instead of EGP 1,200.
Pensions will increase by 15 percent with a minimum of EGP 150, with the minimum pension amounting to EGP 900.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly met Monday with Ministers of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali and Finance Mohamed Maait to discuss the implementation of the president's decision.
In an official statement, Madbouly called for the quick referral of the draft law to the government, scheduled to convene Wednesday, for approval in preparation for implementation on July 1.
The PM praised the President’s historic decisions which will have a positive impact on citizens’ living conditions and ensure the establishment of social justice.
Over 25 million Egyptians, 27.8 percent of the total population, are classified below the poverty line, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
However, the statistics were done before the decision to float the currency and its effect on poverty rates is yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, Madbouly amended Tuesday the law of consumer protection, obliging suppliers to ensure the safety and health regulations and quality standards of the products according to the standard specifications. Suppliers must also clearly inform the consumer of all the essential data about the products, including characteristics and the way it is used.
The executive regulations also stipulate that the supplier shall abide by the conditions in which the misuse of the product may harm the health and safety of the consumer by placing warnings on the product, explaining the correct method to use it.
The consumer shall, in accordance with the provisions of the regulations, have the right to replace or return the item, with a refund, without giving any reasons and without incurring any expenses within 14 days of receipt.
The supplier also undertakes to guarantee durable goods against production defects for at least two years, including inspection, repair and replacement of original spare parts as well as transportation costs of technicians, and expenses of transporting the product when needed from the consumer's location to the company's premises or maintenance center and its return after repairs.
