Saudi Arabia has shifted to the Gregorian or “Western” calendar as a basis for paying civil servants as part of broader fiscal changes, according to reports.
The kingdom adopted the lunar Islamic calendar when it was founded in 1932, but the change places its payment schedule in line with the West. It also brings civil service pay in line with the Saudi government’s January-December fiscal year.
The Islamic lunar calendar is actually 11 days shorter than the 365-day solar year. Using the Gregorian calendar will result in additional days worked for the same salary for public servants. The decision is part of a larger series of cost-cutting measures taken by the Saudi government, including reducing Minister-level pay, hiking fees for entry visas for foreign visitors and residents, and placing a freeze on public-sector wage increases.
The decision to switch from the lunar-based Hijri calendar took effect on October 1 and will bring the public sector in line with how private sector employees are paid, according to reports.
The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, as a modification of the Julian calendar.
