Workers and business representatives have failed to reach an agreement on a minimum wage for workers in the private sector. 

The National Council for Wages, headed by the planning minister, was expected to have decided on the issue by now as discussions have been ongoing since September.

A minimum wage of LE1200 (around $170) for public sector workers will be implemented in January, according to official statements.

On Monday, Al-Ahram daily newspaper said the minimum wage for private sector workers would match that of the public sector and would be officially announced before the weekend. 

On Tuesday, Al-Ahram and other papers denied the news as sources from the Federation of Egyptian Industries and the Egyptian Trade Union Federation declared that no agreement had been reached.