Several Shoura Council members are likely to oppose a newly amended labor law provision that advocates a 40-hour workweek, when they meet on Monday. Many people, mostly businessmen, believe the move would have a negative impact on the economy.

Fifteen council members have called for the Shoura to review its previous decision endorsing a 40-hour workweek.

According to Shoura sources, the members would submit a proposal to increase working hours to 45 per week. They also propose that businesses that give employees two-day off impose a nine-hour working day.

Shoura members have justified these amendments by pointing out that the majority of the beneficiaries of the two-day weekend would be foreigners. More than eight million expats work in the Kingdom.

The new request to review approved articles comes in line with Article 21 of the Shoura’s law, which allows rediscussion of a decision prior to its submission to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his final endorsement.

Last December the Shoura had passed the proposal to reduce the weekly working hours for employees in the private sector from 45 to 40 with a two-day weekend.

The Shoura insisted that an employee be not asked to work more than five hours continuously without rest and be given a half-hour break for food and prayer. It also warned companies against asking their employees to work more than 40 hours weekly and eight hours daily.

Saudis as well as expats had welcomed the decision, saying it would increase their productivity. “It’s a game changer. This move shows Shoura’s farsightedness as the two-day weekend would attract Saudis to the private sector,” said S. Tauqueer, an IT manager at a French multinational in Riyadh.