Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy said the Egyptian government will not raise the national minimum wage because the present budget cannot sustain it.
Beblawy stressed his commitment to set a maximum wage limit in Egypt.
Egypt's minimum wage limit is currently set at LE 730 per month.
A social justice committee, headed by deputy Prime Minister Hossam Eissa, was formed to address the minimum and maximum wages issue.
Manpower Minister Kamal Abu Eita earlier claimed he would deliver a new minimum wage limit before the end of July.
“We will not raise the minimum wage because the budget does not allow it," Beblawy told Al-Masry Al-Youm on Thursday. "I am more interested in the application of the maximum wage limit."
“If the maximum wage limit is set, we will have achieved a breakthrough," he added.
The prime minister said the state budget is currently mired in a 27 to 28-percent deficit. The deficit comprises around 14 percent of gross domestic product.
Egypt exports stand at about $25 billion, and imports around $60 billion, according to Beblawy.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
