The private sector in Saudi Arabia is going to accomplish five day working week very soon. It will be in enforcement from 2013 says a Labor Ministry official to Al Sharq, local Arabic daily.

According to the daily, the study of the idea by the ministry, commercial chambers, the Supreme Economic Council, business people and company owners is expected to be over within six months.

The inception of 5 day working week idea was floated this year in a drive to match the public sector where employees are given Thursday and Friday off. By this, more Saudis will enter into the private sector and enrich the production levels.

"Around 80 per cent of the private sector establishments and companies have approved the two-day break. However, they differed over whether to extend the working hours in the five days. There are those who insist on pushing them up to nine, while others insist on keeping the current eight hours," the source said.

"They can give their workers two consecutive days off as is the case in the public sector or they can allow them to take off on two separate days, according to their conditions," the source said, quoted by the daily.

According to the source, the two-day break will not harm the privately owned companies and establishments.