Saudi Labor Ministry Improves Contracts to Increase Efficiency

Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development Logo
Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development Logo
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Saudi Labor Ministry Improves Contracts to Increase Efficiency

Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development Logo
Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development Logo

The Saudi labor market is witnessing a tangible progress in improving contracts and raising its efficiency and competitiveness, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

The Ministry asserted it wants to ensure that the rights of workers are protected through the mandatory electronic documentation program of labor contracts of employees in the private sector by the end of 2020.

The program aims to protect the rights of workers by archiving and documenting their contracts so that they are aware of the data and whether they approve its content or not.

It aims to protect the rights of the parties to the relationship, support emerging business, and remove barriers to business growth.

According to the minister’s new decision, all new contracts will be documented electronically. 

The Ministry has recently held a seminar with the private sector in Riyadh to exchange views on improving the work environment and attract national talents, with the participation of Minister of Labor and Social Development Ahmed al-Rajhi, and a number of business owners and entrepreneurs in the private sector.

Business owners and private sector officials believe it is important to improve the contractual relations in order to create an attractive work environment for citizens and attract competencies to the labor market to serve the Kingdom's economy.



Gold Hastens Retreat as Dollar Rallies on Trump Victory

FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and gold coins of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metal dealer Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and gold coins of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metal dealer Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
TT

Gold Hastens Retreat as Dollar Rallies on Trump Victory

FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and gold coins of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metal dealer Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa
FILED - 16 March 2023, Bavaria, Munich: Gold bars and gold coins of different sizes lie in a safe on a table at the precious metal dealer Pro Aurum. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa

Gold prices slid more than 3% to a three-week low on Wednesday as investors piled into the US dollar after Republican Donald Trump was elected US president.

Market participants were also looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Thursday for further clues on the bank's easing cycle that had helped gold's stunning rally to successive record highs this year.

Spot gold slipped 2.9% to $2,662.99 per ounce, as of 10:10 a.m. ET (1510 GMT), after hitting a three-week low of $2,652.19. The metal was on track to post its biggest daily loss in five months, Reuters reported.

US gold futures shed 3% to $2,668.2.

"A clear presidential victory when the market has been pricing in a contested result, removal of an element of risk, Trump-trades include the dollar's strengthening this morning and the combination of the two has brought gold lower," said StoneX analyst Rhona O'Connell.

Donald Trump recaptured the White House by securing more than the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency, Edison Research projected.

Investors believe Trump's presidency will bolster the dollar, causing the Federal Reserve pause in its easing cycle if inflation takes off after expected new tariffs.

The dollar index hit a four-month high, making bullion more expensive for overseas buyers.

"Gold will be torn between the risk of rising inflation, potentially slowing the pace of US rate cuts, as tariffs are rolled out," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

"The FOMC will likely still cut on Thursday but the subsequent language will be studied closely for signs of a pause."

Investors widely expect the Fed to announce a quarter-point rate cut after 50 bps reduction in September.

Commodities from oil and gas to metals and grains dropped as the dollar rallied.

Spot silver fell 4.9% to $31.03 per ounce. Platinum shed 2.8% to $971.7 and palladium was down 3.7% to $1,035.5. All three metals hit their lowest levels in three-weeks.