Zawia3 · Chart 1 of 8
Actual wages versus the minimum wage
Spinning and weaving wages as workers report them, against the state and private-sector minimum wages
"Their wages amount to about 2,500 pounds, roughly 36% of the private-sector minimum, by Zawia3's calculation."
Minimum wage for state employeesfrom July 2026
EGP 8,000 a month≈$148
Private-sector minimum wage
EGP 7,000 a month≈$130
Wage of Wabariyat Samanoud women workersworkers' estimate
EGP ~3,100 a month≈$57
Wage of Arab Polvara workersaccording to the workers
EGP ~2,500 a month≈$46 · 36% of the private-sector minimum
What Wabariyat Samanoud women workers received for August
EGP 900≈$17
02,0004,0006,000EGP 8,000
Private-sector minimum (EGP 7,000)Approximate figure
36%Arab Polvara workers earn only 36% of the private-sector minimum wage.
Approximate US dollar equivalents as stated in the article.
Sources: Alaa El-Sakty (member of the National Wages Council), the Egyptian government, testimonies of Arab Polvara workers and Wabariyat Samanoud women workers; the 36% share calculated by Zawia3