Saudi Arabia has suspended granting, in the forthcoming year, annual increments or any financial increases given when contracts were renewed, extended or continued.

The Cabinet cancelled or amended allowances, premiums and other financial privileges of various government employees, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

The highest limit of a premium to be given to a government official for his extra working hours should not exceed 25 per cent of his basic salary for the days he was assigned to work and 50 per cent of the official off-days or holidays, the report said.

No official is to take more than a collection of 30 days of his secondment periods in the same financial year, it said.

The new regulations will apply to all personnel, Saudi civil and military or non-Saudis, who are covered by salaries, wages and premiums tables, including those who are on operation programmes in all government bodies, including establishments and general commissions and funds.