JEDDAH: Private sector companies and institutions in the Kingdom raised this year education and housing allowances and benefits for their employees by 5 percent over last year.
A leading human resources consultation firm said the reason for the increase is that some companies fixed its status in the market, as could be seen from a survey conducted on 100 multinational and local companies from various sectors.
Focus was also placed on more staff training, in order to obtain better productivity.
The optimal employment of the labor force is one of the greatest concerns of companies today, as are plans to reward achievements at the workplace.
The last survey of allowances and benefits in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, conducted by Aon Hewitt, showed that companies in the Kingdom has reviewed allowances and benefits granted this year, and most of them have been spending more moderately compared to with previous years.
Abdulaziz Jastaniah, a human resources expert and a member of the Committee of Human Resources at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce said that this rise will reach 10 percent in 2020.
The reasons for the rise, he said, are: The privatization of some government sectors, the entry of international companies into the Saudi market, and competition between local and international companies in attracting employees.
He pointed out that the rises will help improve employees’ living standards, attract more employees to companies and secure their loyalty. Education allowances in the Kingdom rose by 5 percent; they range, per child, from SR19,000 in the case of laborers to SR32,000 in the case of administrators and executives.
Housing allowances rose by 5 percent in various jobs in the GCC; they range from 45,000 riyals for laborers to 205,000 riyals for executives.
Aon Hewitt experts said companies are still keen to attract skills from around the world, but they generally spend more selectively, in line with the macroeconomic environment.
The Aon Hewitt survey of allowances and benefits is considered the largest of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council. It offers detailed information about groups of the employee, individual countries and groups of benefits.
Robert Richter, Middle East compensation survey manager at Aon Hewitt, said: “The total distribution of allowances and benefits reflects the economic atmosphere in the year 2016. These investments are still very important for companies that want to remain competitive. We have seen a rise in investments by all companies. At the same time, companies review allowances and benefits, and have recorded more moderate spending in comparison to previous years.”
Private firms raise housing, education allowances by 5%
Private firms raise housing, education allowances by 5%
44.8m phone calls by pilgrims during Eid
- 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent
- In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday
MINA: Pilgrims in Makkah and at the holy sites made a record-breaking 44.8 million telephone calls on Sunday during Eid Al-Adha, Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission said on Monday.
Of those, 38.04 million were local and 6.76 million were international calls, with a success rate of more than 99 percent.
In terms of data usage, pilgrims consumed 5,790 terabytes during the holiday, the commission added, which is equivalent to streaming more than 2.37 million hours of high-definition, 1080p video.
Average daily data consumption reached 779.93 megabytes per subscriber, which was more than double the global average of 380MB.
The mobile internet infrastructure was able to provide an average data-download speed of 376.18 megabits per second and an average upload speed of 48.04Mbps, according to the commission.
National Water Co. conducts tests throughout Hajj
- Company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources
- Has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard
MINA: The National Water Co. is conducting tests to ensure water quality meets international standards for pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj season.
The company said its operational plan focuses on ensuring the quality of water via round-the-clock field work by teams collecting samples from drinking water sources, operational tanks, strategic storage tanks, and water networks at the holy sites.
It confirmed that it has equipped the central laboratory in Makkah with the latest international technology to ensure the quality of water provided to pilgrims is maintained at the highest standard.
Fixed and mobile laboratories in the holy sites conduct tests on samples collected by teams on a continual basis from primary water sources, operational and strategic reservoirs, and water systems in and around Makkah and other holy sites.
The teams consists of highly qualified, specialized staff who conduct over 4,100 tests daily.
Diriyah authority celebrates Eid with artistic performances
- Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations
RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority celebrated Eid Al-Adha by organizing a range of artistic and cultural shows.
Citizens and visitors participated in the events, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in several locations, including Diriyah’s parks, squares and neighborhoods, as well as the historic Al-Turaif neighborhood and the Bujairi Terrace.
The four-day events, which kicked off on the first day of Eid, included artistic and cultural programs and live shows in Al-Turaif, in addition to popular arts shows such as Ardah and Samri. About 25,000 gifts were distributed to citizens and visitors enjoying the activities, interactive shows and live music.
Also on the first day of Eid, the authority launched a service to manage the sacrificed animals, in accordance with approved standards and requirements. It supervised the organization and preparation process during the pilgrimage and arranged parking areas and waiting tents, in addition to distributing sacrificial bags to those wishing to perform the ritual.
This year’s events included Arabian horse shows, traditional henna decorations and the distribution of gift. Boxes of sweets were also handed out.
Crowds of people enjoyed Eid Al-Adha events at Bujairi Terrace. These included live musical shows using oud, rababa and qanun instruments, and pavilions where artists drew caricatured portraits of guests and children could have their faces painted.
Neuroradiology saves life of female Iraqi pilgrim
- Iraqi pilgrim received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed
- An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist treated the patient
MINA: A female Iraqi pilgrim suffered a stroke that caused her to lose the ability to speak and move on the right side of her body whilst in Saudi Arabia.
She received treatment at King Abdullah Medical City, part of the Makkah Health Cluster, where the thrombus responsible for the stroke was removed.
The Makkah Health Cluster said the Red Crescent transported the patient to the facility as soon as the incident was identified. An integrated medical team composed of an emergency doctor, a neurologist, and a radiologist received the patient who immediately underwent the necessary medical examinations.
A CT scan showed a thrombus in the artery supplying the left lobe of the brain and thus, she was referred to the Interventional Neuroradiology Department.
Thanks to the interdisciplinary integration and rapid procedures, the patient was transferred to the catheterization ward in the Radiology Department. The clot was successfully removed using the latest technology and the patient’s blood supply to the brain was restored without major complications.
Saudi crown prince holds annual reception for officials, dignitaries performing Hajj this year
- Saudi crown prince stresses necessity of immediately stopping war in Gaza and appeals to international community to take measures to ensure protection of lives
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held an annual reception for officials and dignitaries who are performing Hajj this year.
The reception, held on behalf of King Salman at Mina Palace on Monday, was also attended by the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, several princes, senior scholars, senior GCC officials, ministers, the commanders of military sectors, and scouts who performed Hajj this year.
The crown prince congratulated attendees on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha and prayed that God accept the rituals of the pilgrims and help them complete the pilgrimage in safety and with reassurance.
“We thank God for honoring us with serving the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites, taking care of those who visit them, and ensuring their security and safety. We are proud to continue carrying out this great duty, and we are making efforts and harnessing all capabilities to provide comfort for pilgrims from their arrival until their departure,” Prince Mohammed told the gathering.
Talking about the war in Gaza, the crown prince said that “heinous crimes against our brothers in the Strip continue.”
He stressed the necessity of immediately stopping the war and appealed to the international community to take all measures to ensure the protection of lives in Gaza.
“We also stress the importance of implementing the resolutions recently issued by the UN Security Council regarding the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
“The Kingdom renews its call to the international community to recognize the independent state of Palestine, along 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital to enable the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights and achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace,” the crown prince said.
