Saudi Business Sector Responds to Govt Call to Tighten Preventive Measures

Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Business Sector Responds to Govt Call to Tighten Preventive Measures

Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).

The remote work system implemented by Saudi Arabia when the outbreak of the Covid-19 was first reported has succeeded in achieving productive targets during the first wave of the virus and contributed to generating jobs and work opportunities in small cities and governorates, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat.

This comes as the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has recently called on workers in the public and private sectors to adhere to precautionary and preventive measures, and to abide by health instructions and physical distancing at workplaces, in addition to resorting to remote work as much as possible, with the importance of applying a flexible working-hour policy.

Last year, the ministry launched the second phase of the “remote work” program, which includes the launch of an electronic portal to provide job offers and other services, such as tracking and following up on employees’ performance.

The ministry explained that the launch of the second phase comes after setting the controls and standards that govern the work environment, to ensure that the time and quality of the output is not affected, as well as guaranteeing the productivity and discipline of the employees included in the program.

In this regard, expert on public policies and international cooperation, Dr. Akram Jadawi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministry’s decision to invite all sectors to implement the remote work program and to adopt flexible work policies came in a timely manner, especially as some parties were quick to resort to the system and reduce the number of employees in workplaces.

The remote work system has proven its effectiveness in raising productivity whenever the appropriate conditions are present, Jadawi said.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Society for Human Resources, Bader Al-Enezi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the public and private sectors, with their profit and non-profit branches, have gained experience in dealing with the remote work system after recognizing the risks of the pandemic.

He emphasized that several countries were working on equipping the technical infrastructure to ensure the continuity of the economy and workflow in light of the current crisis, adding that the Saudi sectors were able to keep pace with the rapid changes in the business model.



Oil Prices Set for Second Annual Loss in a Row, Stable Day on Day

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Oil Prices Set for Second Annual Loss in a Row, Stable Day on Day

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Oil prices were on track to end 2024 with a second consecutive year of losses on Tuesday, but were steady on the day as data showing an expansion in Chinese manufacturing was balanced by Nigeria targeting higher output next year.

Brent crude futures fell by 7 cents, or 0.09%, to $73.92 a barrel as of 1306 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude lost 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $70.95 a barrel.

At those levels, Brent was down around 4% from its final 2023 close price of $77.04, while WTI was down around 1% from where it settled on Dec. 29 last year at $71.65.

In September, Brent futures closed below $70 a barrel for the first time since December 2021, while their highest closing price of 2024 at $91.17 was also the lowest since 2021, as the impacts of a post-pandemic rebound in demand and price shocks from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine began to fade.

According to Reuters, oil prices are likely to be constrained near $70 a barrel in 2025 as weak demand from China and rising global supplies are expected to cast a shadow on OPEC+-led efforts to shore up the market, a Reuters monthly poll showed on Tuesday.

A weaker demand outlook in China in particular forced both the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) to cut their oil demand growth expectations for 2024 and 2025.

With non-OPEC supply also set to rise, the IEA sees the oil market going into 2025 in a state of surplus, even after OPEC and its allies delayed their plan to start raising output until April 2025 against a backdrop of falling prices.

Investors will also be watching the Federal Reserve's rate cut outlook for 2025 after central bank policymakers earlier this month projected a slower path due to stubbornly high inflation.

Lower interest rates generally incentivise borrowing and fuel growth, which in turn is expected to boost oil demand.

Markets are also gearing up for US President-elect Donald Trump's policies around looser regulation, tax cuts, tariff hikes and tighter immigration, as well as potential geopolitical shifts from Trump's calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as the possible re-imposition of the so-called "maximum pressure" policy towards Iran.

Prices were supported on Tuesday by data showing China's manufacturing activity expanded for a third straight month in December but at a slower pace, suggesting a blitz of fresh stimulus is helping to support the world's second-largest economy.

However, that was balanced out by potential for higher supply next year, as Nigeria said it is targeting national production of 3 million barrels per day (bpd) next year, up from its current level of around 1.8 million bpd.