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Wednesday 27 Jan 2016 - 17:01 Makkah mean time-17-4-1437
Jeddah, (IINA) - The Saudi government intends to approve a recommendation to close all shops by 9 p.m. as well as to institute a 40-hour working week for the private sector, Arab News reported citing local media.
Sources were quoted as saying that the Cabinet would make the announcement soon based on studies it had received. This year has previously been earmarked for implementation. There would likely be exemptions, with investors given a grace period before having to comply, they said.
The proposed 9 p.m. closure has caused concern among retail shop owners who said this might result in poor sales. They have argued that customers in the Kingdom cannot go shopping in the morning or afternoon due to high temperatures, especially during summers. They have also objected to calls for a two-day weekend.
A senior official at the Ministry of Labor recently said during a meeting that was held with a committee of the Council of Saudi Chambers that studies on this matter have been concluded.
He stressed that the ministry is making every effort to make working conditions more attractive for Saudi citizens in the private sector, in a bid to reduce unemployment and boost Saudization levels.
The ministry official said there was also a discussion on reconsidering Saudization in the bakery and butchery industries if the private sector submitted proposals in this regard.
AG/IINA
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