The Shoura resolution has recommended an increase in salaries of government employees in tune with a hike in inflation rates.

The 150-member Shoura Council has passed a proposal to revise the salary scale of the country’s civil servants, taking into consideration the rise in inflation and hike in prices of essential commodities. The Shoura decision will be presented to the Council of Ministers shortly for approval.

“The Shoura resolution has recommended an increase in salaries of government employees in tune with a hike in inflation rates,” said a Shoura member, who requested anonymity.

The consultative body also asked the authorities concerned not to cap salaries at a particular level, adding that the salary scale should be revised annually considering inflation rate announced by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency.

Mohammed Al-Amr, secretary-general of the Shoura, said the consultative council’s resolution was passed by a majority vote. “It instructed the Ministry of Civil Service to change the stable salary system into a flexible one in coordination with relevant authorities including the Finance Ministry.”

Meanwhile, the Shoura passed another proposal urging the Ministry of Civil Service to increase the transport allowance of female employees. According to press reports some female teachers have been paying SR1,600 monthly to drivers or taxis for commuting to schools.

Some bloggers believe the Shoura move was to defeat calls for allowing women to drive their cars to reduce accidents and protect their rights. “Most women workers depend on their parents or brothers to take them to places of work,” one blogger said. “This dependence was creating problem for many of these workers and restraining their freedom,” he added.

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