The article "Proposal to hike salaries of Saudis to be studied" (Nov. 19) reports that the Shoura Council will consider a proposal to increase the salaries of Saudi government employees because of the increase in the cost of basic commodities. I hope that the Shoura will also have a plan ready to prevent the price inflation that will follow an increase in salaries. Salary increases are always welcome. However these should benefit those who get them and not the greedy businessmen who take away the benefit by increasing prices. RM, Online response II. Are you serious? I read in this newspaper that 69 percent of government employees are absent from work without a valid excuse, 68 percent of them regularly take three-hours breaks, and that 59 percent leave work before they complete their working hours, and now there is a proposal to raise their salaries? The government should be systematic. They should only give a salary increment to those who have a good working performance. GM, Online response III. I remember the time when all government employees were given three months extra salary and all expats were exempted from it. I know because I work in the government sector. The move caused inflation. The expats didn't get the salary, but they got the inflation. Freeman, Online response
