The Egyptian government has announced significant changes to its salary disbursement schedule and the reintroduction of daylight saving time, both set to take effect in April 2025. These measures aim to enhance economic stability and energy efficiency as the country prepares for the upcoming month of Ramadan.
On April 4, 2025, the Ministry of Finance revealed a new plan to expedite the salary payments for government employees. The ministry decided to initiate the disbursement process on Monday, April 21, instead of the previously scheduled date of April 24. This adjustment allocates five days for salary disbursement and an additional three days for late dues, ensuring that employees have access to their funds before the start of Ramadan.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this proactive approach is intended to alleviate financial burdens on citizens during the holy month. The government encourages employees to withdraw their salaries without creating large crowds, promoting a smooth and efficient disbursement process.
In addition to the early salary payments, the Ministry of Finance has announced forthcoming increases in wages that will take effect from July 2025. These increases include periodic allowances of 10% for those on the payroll and 15% for those not on the payroll. Furthermore, the maximum overtime allowance will rise from 600 Egyptian pounds to 1000 Egyptian pounds, while the additional incentive will increase by 300 Egyptian pounds. The minimum wage for the private sector is also set to increase to 7000 Egyptian pounds per month.
The government has earmarked an 18.1% increase in the 2025/2026 budget, amounting to a total cost of 679.1 billion Egyptian pounds to accommodate these salary hikes. The budget will also facilitate the hiring of 75,000 teachers and 30,000 doctors, along with approximately 10,000 various civil service positions. Through these ambitious plans, the state reflects its commitment to improving the welfare of its citizens and addressing their economic needs comprehensively.
Meanwhile, another major change is set to occur with the reintroduction of daylight saving time. The Council of Ministers has confirmed that Egypt will officially switch to daylight saving time on Friday, April 25, 2025, by advancing the clocks by 60 minutes. This decision marks the return of a system that had been suspended for eight years and is part of the government's efforts to conserve energy.
As a result of this change, official working hours and prayer times across the country will also be adjusted. The winter time will end at midnight on Thursday, April 24, and the new daylight saving time will be in effect until the last Friday of October 2025, when clocks will revert to standard time.
The implementation of daylight saving time aims to reduce electricity consumption and the use of petroleum derivatives, including gasoline and diesel. By extending daylight hours, the government hopes to decrease the need for artificial lighting in the evenings, which can lead to increased productivity and positively impact the economy.
With the new daylight saving schedule, prayer times will also be modified. The new timings will be as follows:
- Fajr: 4:28 AM
- Dhuhr: 12:51 PM
- Asr: 4:28 PM
- Maghrib: 7:36 PM
- Isha: 9:02 PM
As Egyptians prepare for these changes, the government has provided guidance on adjusting mobile devices for the new time. Users are advised to manually set their clocks if automatic updates do not occur, ensuring a smooth transition into the new schedule.
Historically, daylight saving time has been practiced in Egypt for decades before its cancellation in 2016. The reinstatement of this system is seen as a strategic move to optimize energy use and enhance the overall efficiency of the country’s operations.
While not all countries adopt daylight saving time—particularly those near the equator, where day and night lengths remain relatively constant—many European, American, and Arab nations implement it to maximize sunlight usage. Egypt’s return to this practice signifies its alignment with global trends aimed at efficient energy consumption and economic growth.
As April approaches, both the early salary disbursement and the reintroduction of daylight saving time reflect the Egyptian government’s proactive stance in addressing the pressing needs of its citizens and enhancing the country’s economic landscape. These initiatives are expected to foster a smoother transition into Ramadan and improve overall energy efficiency in the months to come.
