nonthaburi

Just at the local pump to where I live. A Saudi friend told me the price dropped a couple of days ago.

I'd rather they put the price of gas up not down and left the VAT. I claim the gas back so it makes no difference.

Agree with you about the tank. Think it worked out about 5 weeks.

HiHo

I was reading that the Saudi's have tasked a committee to consider ways to reduce private sector salary's. Apparently they were given 30 day's to report findings. In a similar vain Saudi employers have been given the green light to reduce the pay of employees who are not working or working reduced hours up to a maximum of 40%. The vision 2030 projects are being reprioritised, and capital investment is to be directed toward developing the infrastructure to support mineral extraction from 54 identified sites. Whilst mineral extraction and processing is undoubtedly more profitable than casino and alcohol free dessert resorts it is probable a less appealing career path for many Saudis, although I may well be proven wrong.

We are certainly living in tumultuous times from which there will be winner's a looser's. In the new normal what winning might look like is anybody's guess. The Saudi up to his armpits in hydraulic fluid, fixing a mining conveyor in the blazing sun might well be a winner.

csdf

Why would you want a task force to reduce private sector salaries? Wouldn't it be public sector salaries that are the problem?

scot47

https://news.trust.org/item/20200507113355-hb83k

Some speculation by journalists who probably know little of realities on the ground.

thebadger

Having seen my Emirati boss, an engineering graduate with some 15 years of experience, and a man heading an engineering department, making engineering decisions........ trying to change a wheel on his land cruiser.

Nice chap, but practically useless.

martinbkk

Had a friend who was brilliant theoretically but a complete numpty practically. With his MSc and BSc Eng with Honours he got a good job as an engineer at the Met Office in UK, this is decades ago now. Having assessed his capabilities and tried him out in various positions they found an activity he was ideally suited to, it required painting very large white H's on expanses of tarmac.

Same guy had once become very interested in carpentry but was advised to give it up on his doctors advice.

HiHo

writing as one of the few with his boots still in the sand, the article appears to present a seasonably accurate appraisal. Unpaid leave and unpaid employees are common. Contractors are not being paid thus can not pay suppliers. The Saudi economy has a $187 billion deficit. Don't take our word for it look on planefinder the repatriation flights are leaving all day long. If that's not enough to convince you take a look at property values.

HiHo

Good question. If your connected in Saudi you get a comfy job in government. If your not connected you have to work for a living. I suspect the people in government don't want to earn less than there less connected friends.