Egypt raises military pensions amid austerity measures

The rises introduced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will take effect from July 1 (Reuters/Charles Platiau/File Photo)
  • Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has raised pensions for military personnel and salaries for civil servants by 15 percent amid a wave of price hikes linked to austerity measures
  • The raises, published late Saturday in the official gazette, will take effect on July 1.

CAIRO: Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has raised pensions for military personnel and salaries for civil servants by 15 percent amid a wave of price hikes linked to austerity measures.
The raises, published late Saturday in the official gazette, will take effect on July 1. El-Sisi, a retired general, has raised military pensions several times in recent years.
In recent days the government has raised the price of fuel, drinking water and electricity as part of a reform program tied to a three-year, $12 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund, which Egypt secured in 2016.
The tough measures have hit poor and middle-class Egyptians especially hard. El-Sisi has urged Egyptians to be patient as the reforms take effect.