The Ministry of Labor has rejected claims that its decisions to back a two-day weekend for private firms and increasing Saudization quotas across industries, has caused prices to rise.

Saudi Arabia's Labour Ministry has ruled out changing any of its new laws aimed at transforming the kingdom's labour market, including the two-day weekend for private firms, a report said.

The clairification follows criticism that the new measures have cause prices to rise in the kingdom, the Arab News report said.

It said the decisions were takne following extensive studies of the Saudi labour market and its needs.

Some businessmen recently claimed that health service charges could increase by up to 30 per cent because of the ministry’s decisions.

The Labout Ministry source said the ministry is not responsible for keeping prices in check, the report said.

Experts in the construction sector have also estimated that prices have risen by 50 percent for contractors and workers since the Labor Ministry’s decisions. Some car maintenance workshops have also raised their prices, they said.