Riyadh: Saudi Arabia will switch its weekend to Friday-Saturday from its current Thursday-Friday, following a decision by the kingdom’s Shoura Council.
According to local media reports, the legislative and consultative body on Monday approved a recommendation to make the change, with 83 members voting in favour and 41 members against. It was not specified when the switch would be made.
The decision will be applied to workers in the public sector.
Some local business leaders and economists say the existing Thursday-Friday weekend is bad for the economy because it limits the amount of time Saudi companies can work with partners overseas during the week.
However, some members of the powerful conservative clergy in the birthplace of Islam have opposed the move in the past, citing concerns it is intended to bring the kingdom closer to the Jewish and Christian traditions.
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