Minimum wage for Nepali workers raised to 1300 Riyals in Saudi Arabia

Kathmandu / Sept 16: Nepal government has fixed the minimum salary rate at 1300 Saudi Riyals (approximately NRs 39,000) per month for Nepali migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. According to the decision, a Saudi Arabia employer should pay a minimum monthly salary of 1300 Saudi Riyals, including 300 riyals food allowance, to hire Nepali workers.

A Cabinet meeting fixed the minimum salary for Nepali workers based on the recommendation of Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. Prior to this, the minimum salary for Nepali workers in Saudia Arabia was 1000 Riyals.

Nepal government made the decision referring to the increasing standard of living in the Gulf country. The salary of workers was reviewed after the salary was fixed in 2013.

However, Saudi Arabia government doesn’t fix the salary citing free market. The Gulf state has been implementing the salary agreed between the company and workers.