Saudi Arabia will pay 500 riyals ($133) monthly to eligible public workers, retirees and households ahead of electricity and water tariff changes due Jan. 1, the Saudi Press Agency said Sunday.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proposed the measure, which King Salman then ordered. The support covers civil and military employees, retirees, families receiving social security and some relatives of deceased social insurance contributors or retirees.
For full credit toward a company's Nitaqat quota, a Saudi employee's monthly pay must reach at least 5,000 riyals. That starting level takes effect six months after implementation begins. Twelve months after the first threshold takes effect, the required pay rises to 6,000 riyals.
Electricity and water tariffs are scheduled to change Jan. 1, The National reported. The Saudi Press Agency said the cash support is intended to offset the tariff impact and linked the Nitaqat changes to higher wages and sustained Saudi employment in the private sector.
