SAUDI DUMPS ISLAMIC CALENDAR TO SAVE FUND
The birthplace of Islam containing Mecca – Islam’s holiest
site – shifted to the western Gregorian calendar on Sunday, bringing the
oil-rich kingdom in line with many of its energy customers.
But the real reason is the need to conserve funds.
Saudi Arabia like other oil exporting countries is facing an
unprecedented cash squeeze, with the government slamming salary cuts all over.
The Islamic lunar calendar is actually 15 days shorter than
the 365-day solar year.
The calculation is that the measure will save the kingdom
money by cutting salary days for many public servants.
The kingdom began the use of Islamic calendar since it was
founded in 1932, Al Arabiya local news reported.
The Saudi workers will now need to work more days to earn
the salaries already sliced by government.
The decision came after the cabinet announced last week the
reduction of salaries of ministers and Shura members (advisors).
It was part of an austerity package, including cancellation
and amendment of civil servants’ allowances and rewards, such as cancelling the
annual bonus.
Saudi Arabia has taken a series of steps to deal with the
dropping oil prices in global markets. Read more
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