Saudi Arabia cushions labour reform with new hours, subsidies

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* Reforms since 2011 have pushed many into private sector jobs * But costs, inefficiencies are hurting companies * Government **w focusing on making Saudi workers effective * Ramping up spending to share more of burden with companies * Will do what it takes to achieve political priority By Marwa Rashad RIYADH, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is changing tack in its labour reforms, softening the blow to companies with money for subsidies and training while trying to lure Saudis to the private sector with more attractive working conditions. Meanwhile the government is spending billions of riyals to help pay Saudi workers' salaries, and is setting aside more money to smooth the path of the most sweeping eco**mic reforms in decades. Authorities launched labour reforms in 2011 after the Arab Spring uprisings to head off political unrest by reducing unemployment. They boosted the number of Saudis in the private sector, but many workers have **t been effective or only stayed in their jobs for a few weeks.

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