(Recast)Saudi Arabia cuts ministers, Shura members' salaries

Saudi Arabia announced Monday that the salaries of ministers and Shura council members will be reduced by 20% and 15% respectively, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The decision was made through royal orders released on Monday by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi.

Besides the salary cuts, the annual accommodation allowance and car expenses were reduced by the same percentage for the Shura members, advisors of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the royal order excluded military personnel who are fighting in the Arab coalition against Houthis in Yemen and those participating in military and security operations outside the country from a previous decision to stop the annual bonus for government staff.

The Saudi king also ordered to stop offering cars to senior government officials, while to continue to provide mobile and fix phones to ministers, while they have to pay their monthly bills.

These orders were issued as result of cost-cutting steps the country has been taking to deal with the dropping oil prices in international markets, as well as the costly war against Houthis in Yemen. Endit