Manama: Saudi Arabia’s commerce and industry minister has denied reports that a proposal to have all shops shut down by 9pm would be implemented soon.
“The reports that the decision is about to be implemented is not true,” Tawfeeq Al Rabia said. “The proposal is still under study and an announcement will be made as soon as the final decision is reached,” he told the media, Saudi daily Al Riyadh reported on Thursday.
The proposal was first mentioned by the labour ministry as a means to encourage more Saudis to join the private sector instead of seeking and waiting for an opportunity in the public sector.
Under the proposal, shops throughout the kingdom will be allowed to open between 6am and 9pm.
Recreational centres, restaurants and coffee shops will remain open until midnight on weekdays and until 1am on weekends.
The only exceptions will be in Makkah and Madinah, the two sacred cities that never sleep due to the high number of people from Saudi Arabia and abroad who visit them for religious reasons. The municipal council will decide the timings for the two cities.
Ramadan, the month of fasting during which Saudis traditionally stay up very late, will also have different timings, but the proposal suggests a 2am limit, except for restaurants to allow people to get food before they start fasting before Fajr (dawn) prayers.
A special decision will be made regarding the places and services that need to remain open and available for 24 hours.
Recreational centres, restaurants and coffee shops will remain open until midnight on weekdays and until 1pm during the weekend and holidays.
A six-month grace period will be given before the proposal is implemented.
Saudi labour officials said that the new regulations were part of a plan to reform the labour market and encourage Saudi men and women to seek jobs in the private sector.
The ambitious reforms launched by the labour ministry to boost local employment opportunities and motivate Saudi men and women to join the private sector instead of insisting on securing a job in the more attractive public sector where employees enjoy offs on Fridays and Saturdays.
Saudi Arabia is home to around nine million foreigners, mainly unskilled workers from Asian countries in the construction and service sectors. They make up around one third of the country’s population.
