Rough times for Saudi retail as govt cuts bite

"There's a lot less work, especially with these decisions," he says, referring to the government spending cuts. On September 26 the cabinet imposed a wage freeze on the civil service, which makes up the bulk of the kingdom's workforce. The highest ranks of government were not spared either as King Salman chopped the salaries of ministers by 20 percent, which the Saudi Gazette said amounts to 10,350 riyals ($2,760) each per month.