The Egyptian government is preparing to implement daylight saving time, a move aimed at conserving energy as the country gears up for the summer months. This decision comes as citizens eagerly seek information regarding the start date for the new time adjustments. According to the Egyptian Cabinet, daylight saving time will officially begin at midnight on the last Friday of April, which falls on April 25, 2025. At this time, clocks will be set forward by one hour, transitioning from midnight to 1:00 AM.
Daylight saving time will remain in effect until the last Friday of October 2025, with the primary goal of reducing electricity consumption and minimizing reliance on petroleum resources. As this change approaches, many people are looking for guidance on how to adjust their devices to reflect the new time. To set phones to daylight saving time, users can follow these simple steps: first, access the phone's settings, then select the general management option, followed by date and time settings, and finally, enable the automatic date and time feature. This will ensure the phone updates to the new daylight saving time automatically.
In addition to time changes, many Muslims are also interested in how prayer times will adjust with the new schedule. With the implementation of daylight saving time, prayer times will shift as follows: Fajr prayer will be at 4:28 AM, Dhuhr at 12:51 PM, Asr at 4:28 PM, Maghrib at 7:36 PM, and Isha at 9:02 PM.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has announced that the disbursement of salaries for April 2025 will occur earlier than usual, starting on Monday, April 21, rather than the previously scheduled date of April 24. This decision is aimed at alleviating financial pressures on government employees, particularly in light of the increased expenses families face during Ramadan and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
Employees will have five consecutive days to withdraw their salaries, with the process continuing until April 25. The disbursement can be accessed through various channels, including ATMs, banks, and Egyptian post offices. The Ministry has urged employees to avoid congestion at ATMs, assuring that funds will be available around the clock starting from the disbursement date.
In addition to the early salary disbursement, the Ministry of Finance has also outlined plans for wage increases that will take effect from July 1, 2025. These increases include a periodic allowance of 10% for those covered by the Civil Service Law and 15% for those not covered. Furthermore, the allowance for living costs will be raised from 600 to 1000 Egyptian pounds, while an additional hazard allowance will increase by 300 pounds. The minimum wage will also rise to 7000 pounds monthly.
The upcoming fiscal year 2025/2026 is expected to see an 18.1% increase in wage allocations, amounting to approximately 679.1 billion pounds. This increase is intended to cover the new salary adjustments and includes funding for hiring over 75,000 teachers, 30,000 doctors, and around 10,000 new employees across various government sectors.
As the government implements these changes, it aims to strike a balance between energy conservation and economic support for its citizens. The adjustments in daylight saving time and salary disbursement reflect a broader strategy to enhance the quality of life for Egyptians, particularly during the challenging economic climate exacerbated by rising living costs.
In summary, the Egyptian government's decision to implement daylight saving time and adjust salary disbursement dates aims to provide relief and efficiency for its citizens. As the country prepares for these changes, many are hopeful that these measures will contribute positively to their daily lives, particularly during significant cultural and religious events.
