RIYADH — The Council of Ministers has asked the Shoura Council to study the feasibility of introducing a two-day weekly off for private sector employees, local daily Al-Watan reported on Sunday quoting Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqbani. The minister would not predict when the Council would finish considering the issue, but said as soon as it has finished a study he would send the recommendations directly to the King. Private sector employees have been demanding parity with government employees, who work 40 hours a week. They said an extra day off would have a positive impact on their productivity, personal lives and social relationships. Consultations on the issue among the various government departments resulted in a conflict of opinions. When the Shoura Council first approved a two-day weekend and 40-hour work week for private sector employees last year, the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) rejected the decision. It urged the Shoura to review the decision, arguing that it would increase business and labor costs, and negatively affect the economy. In April, Chairman of the Management and Human Resources Committee in the Shoura Council Muhammad Hamid Al-Nagadi said the higher authorities referred to the Council a study on reducing working hours in the private sector. The aim of the proposal was to narrow the gap between working hours in the private and public sectors in order to expedite Saudization of jobs in the private sector.
