JEDDAH: In a major development, private-sector employers in Saudi Arabia whose businesses have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic have been told they can cut their employees’ wages and working hours, Arab News reported on Tuesday.
But they may do so only with the employees’ consent, and the reduced wages must accurately reflect the number of hours worked, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said. The ministry also moved to allay fears among some private sector staff, both Saudi and expatriate, that unscrupulous employers could use the coronavirus crisis to exploit their workers. “Workers can report any violation through the ministry’s website, channels and social media platforms,” Saad Al-Hammad, director of Human Resources Affairs at the ministry, told Arab News.
