CAIRO, Jan 6 (Aswat Masriya) - A maximum wages policy will apply to around 8,500 civil servants starting January, Minister of Administrative Development Hany Mahmoud told the state-owned Ahram newspaper on Monday.

"The decision includes employees who work in the oil sector, judiciary, army and all governmental bodies. Banks will be included in the second phase of implementation," the minister said.

The decision to determine maximum wages was issued by interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi in November.

The maximum gross income of government employees should not exceed 42,000 Egyptian pounds per month, according to the new decree.