Many workers say that the civil service system stands as an obstacle for dozens of government employees who wish to increase their monthly income, because Saudi regulations prohibit the combination of government job and trade.

However, many government employees work as delivery boys in restaurants, hotels and airports in an attempt to increase their incomes through such business activities during the evening, some earning about SR2,000-SR4,000 per month.

Speaking about his part-time job, Fahd Al-Qahtani, a government employee, said: “I found that working as a delivery boy was difficult at the beginning, but later I was encouraged when I saw my income increasing, which allowed me to meet high prices, high living costs and home requirements.”

He said that he shared his experience with his colleagues and encouraged them to do the same.

Another government employee, Majed Abdul Rahman, said that his salary was not enough to cover his family needs and house rent, and after searching he found that the most appropriate additional work for government employees is to deliver restaurants orders rather than private office work. He expressed his desire to create his own business.

Saudi government employees are looking forward to the outcome of Shoura Council discussions this week on a proposal to amend Article XIII of the civil service system, which prevents government employees from engaging in an additional trade, directly or indirectly.