ARAB NEWS: Saudis are taking up more temporary jobs in response to the Kingdom’s rapidly changing workplace
As the pandemic forces many businesses to temporarily shut up shop, demand for part time workers is on the rise.
Some 3000 institutions are registered on the government’s ‘Marn’ flexible work platform and almost 2,400 contracts have been documented, from various regions, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development told Al Arabiya.
The Ministry said that most of the work contracts listed on the platform were concentrated in Riyadh, the Eastern region and Makkah. Almost one in three involved women.
The retail and wholesale sectors have benefited most from the flexible work system, along with the construction and logistics sectors, the Ministry said.
The platform appeals to employers because it reduces their overheads and means they are only paying wages when they receive orders.
Saudi Arabia launched the Marn platform last May which offers hourly-based employment and does not require employers to pay end-of-service benefits.