Jobs bonanza for women

The Council of Ministers on Monday activated existing laws and regulations to create employment opportunities for the thousands of Saudi women job seekers. It also passed a law allowing jobless Saudis to get monthly unemployment allowances. “The council approves the system to support Saudi job seekers,” said Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja after the Cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. “The payment of unemployment allowance will start from the beginning of the Hijri year 1433. Those who applied early and found eligible on that date would be paid retroactively,” Khoja said while explaining the new law, which comes into effect soon after its publication in the official gazette. The new Cabinet decision did not mention the amount of the monthly allowance. According to a previous decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah it would be SR2,000. “The royal decree specifies that there will not be any delay in distributing the assistance,” a Labor Ministry official said. “We will sort out applications for the allowance and shortlist eligible applicants over the coming period before the deadline,” he added. Khoja said the Cabinet emphasized the need to activate previous regulations for the employment of women as well as the labor minister’s powers to implement those regulations. The Cabinet also instructed the permanent committee of the Supreme Economic Council to develop and implement a program to support job seekers. It also called for making employment of expatriates expensive for employers in order to create more opportunities for unemployed Saudis. “The new measures taken in this respect should benefit all deserving people,” the Cabinet said and urged officials in charge to avoid duplication. The allowance proposed by the new program should meet the beneficiary’s basic needs. At the beginning of the Cabinet meeting, Crown Prince Naif welcomed the newly appointed Defense Minister Prince Salman to the council and wished him every success in his new career. He also expressed his happiness over the success of this year’s Haj operation. “Saudi Arabia will leave no stone unturned in helping pilgrims perform their religious duties,” he added. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation of a series of decrees issued by King Abdullah last month, making new appointments, saying it would realize national interests. Referring to the worsening security situation in Syria, the Cabinet emphasized the need to take measures for protecting civilians and ending fighting and violence in the Arab country. It also urged the Syrian government to abide by its pledges to implement the Arab League plan to end the crisis. The Cabinet welcomed the UN resolution denouncing terrorist attacks against diplomats. The resolution, proposed by Saudi Arabia, had the support of 106 countries. The Cabinet made alterations to Article 2 and 15 of the commercial mortgage law in accordance with Islamic principles.  It also amended the royal decree dated 16/4/1421AH concerning repayment of preferred debt, in the case of bankruptcy. It appointed Prince Fahd bin Abdul Aziz director general of water in the Makkah province; and Jabir bin Muhammad Al-Shahri, deputy agricultural minister for fisheries. The Kingdom also condemned the Israeli move to construct more Jewish homes in the occupied Arab territories to punish Palestine for winning full membership in UNESCO. “This Israeli action is a challenge to the international community’s will.” Saudi Arabia also reiterated its support for UNESCO in its efforts to promote global peace and stability. Information Minister Khoja said the Cabinet adopted a number of other decisions. It authorized the chairman of King Abdul Aziz Foundation to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International Institute for Islamic Unity in Malaysia. It also assigned the foreign minister to hold talks with other countries to sign agreements for cooperation in agriculture, livestock and fisheries. The first of such a pact would be signed with Ukraine.