Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved new power regulations to expand the Saudi Water and Electricity Company’s (WEC) remit. The amendments mean WEC, as the Kingdom’s main water buyer, will be able to purchase desalinated, purified, treated and untreated water. The aim is boost water and electricity distribution in the country.

Saudi Arabian Labour and Social Development Ministry sources have said the Ministry is preparing a new system to enable employees to reduce work hours and salaries for a limited time under the Job Share Programme. The aim is to avoid Saudi nationals being dismissed when business is slow. To be able to benefit from the programme, employees should be Saudi nationals who work full-time and have done so for at least three months. Participation will be optional. Work hours and pay should not be reduced by more than 50% and an employee’s salary should not be less than 3000 Riyals after the work hours and pay have been reduced. Employees must not join the programme for more than six months at a time. Businesses should not dismiss employees participating in the programme and should allow employees to work in any other business outside their work hours.

Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has approved new power regulations to expand the Saudi Water and Electricity Company’s (WEC) remit. The amendments mean WEC, as the Kingdom’s main water buyer, will be able to purchase desalinated, purified, treated and untreated water. The aim is boost water and electricity distribution in the country.

Saudi Arabia’s Communications and Information Technology Commission has announced citizens and expatriates will only be allowed to own two prepaid SIM cards. The announcement follows concerns over terrorist attacks in the country and the regulator hopes the restriction is temporary. The limit applies to voice and data lines in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s Commercial Transactions Law has been amended. The aim is to tackle the issue of bounced cheques. Article 4(2) of the law has been amended to request the relevant authorities increase the penalties for individuals who commit offences regarding bounced cheques. These include jail sentences and naming and shaming those who issue cheques which then bounce.