The amendment is part of a new package of social protection initiatives announced by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly at the end of the three-day economic conference last week.

The package is meant to mitigate the negative impact on vulnerable classes of new economic liberalisation policies, such as introducing a flexible exchange rate and devaluating the Egyptian pound.

The amendment, approved by the House's Manpower Committee on Sunday, will cost the state treasury EGP 48.4 billion in disbursements (about EGP 16.4 billion for state employees and EGP 32 billion for pensioners).

"This is the second bonus in less than six months and aims to help vulnerable classes bear the high cost of living triggered by global economic crises," said the committee's Deputy Chairman Adel Abdel-Fadil.

MP Martha Mahrous said the effect of the new bill should be extended to include employees in the private sector.

"The government should also exert greater control and supervision on retail markets to safeguard vulnerable classes against greedy merchants and traders who raise prices and exercise monopolistic practices," said Mahrous.

MP Wahid Qorqor also urged the government to change the penal code to toughen penalties on traders who exploit difficult economic conditions to achieve illegal gains and riches.

"Take for example car dealers who exploited the Egyptian pound devaluation to raise car prices three times in one month," said Qorqor.

Article seven of the amendment states that the bill will be published in the official gazette and go into law on the first of November.