Saudi ministry says restored bonuses to be paid next month

Saudi Arabia’s ministry of finance has said that restored bonuses, allowances, and financial advantages will be paid to state employees starting from next month’s salary that is due on May 26.

The payments will be appraised starting from April 22, the date that the bonuses and allowances were reinstated by royal decree, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan.

Last Saturday, King Salman issued several decrees restoring such payments for public sector employees and military personnel. He also sacked the civil defense and information ministers in a surprise government shakeup.

The bonuses – which had been cut under austerity measures amid lower oil prices in 2016 – were restored, due to higher revenue and a decline in the kingdom’s budget deficit.