Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly approved on Thursday several draft laws setting up a periodic minimum raise for public sector employees who are employed under the civil service law, increasing additional bonuses for state employees, and amending the pensions law.

During a cabinet video conference, Madbouly approved a monthly minimum raise of EGP 75 for those covered by the civil service law effective as of July.

The prime minister also approved a special 12 percent raise in the basic wage, or a minimum of EGP 75, for public workers not covered by the civil service law.

The cabinet also approved a draft law adding a number of special allowances to the basic wage used to calculate the variable wage pension, as well as amending some provisions of the social security and pensions law of 2019.

Social Solidarity Minister Niveen El-Qabbag extended the period of pension disbursement over a period of 12 days, to reduce pressure on citizens.

She also ordered the provision of masks and gloves as part of preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus.

Egypt approved the civil service law in 2016 as a key step aimed at reforming the state's administrative apparatus in order to encourage investments by curbing notorious bureaucratic inefficiencies and streamlining hiring practices and wage-structures in government institutions.