In a major televised announcement, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah unveiled on Friday a SR500 billion social spending package that includes a minimum wage and cost-of-living bonus for government workers, unemployment allowances, a boost in housing loans and an increase in health spending.

Half of the value of the package — SR250 billion — will be used to construct 500,000 homes to address the country’s growing housing shortage. The king also announced a ministerial-level anti-corruption commission that will be headed by former Shoura Council member Muhammad Abdullah Al-Sharif. The authority will check financial and administrative corruption in government departments and will report directly to the king.

During his address to the nation, the king thanked his people for foiling the attempts of those who called for a day of protests on March 11.

“I am very proud of you,” he said. “The national memory should preserve that you are the guardians of national unity. You are always in my heart. I get my strength and determination from Allah and from you.”

Regarding the massive spending package, Justice Minister Muhammad Al-Eissa commended the royal decrees and said they would promote the welfare and wellbeing of citizens all over the country.

“The new welfare programs incurring huge spending are unprecedented in the Kingdom’s history,” the minister said. “It reflects King Abdullah’s desire to improve the living condition of citizens.”

Shoura Council Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh also praised the new royal decrees and said the comprehensive welfare programs would boost the Kingdom’s progress and stability.

Talal Al-Oqail, adviser to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, thanked King Abdullah for taking a series of decisions to strengthen Qur’an memorization centers and the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice as well as to renovate mosques all over the Kingdom. The package includes SR300 million to support the Islamic Dawa (Call & Guidance) offices and SR200 million to support Qur’an-memorization organizations.

The royal decrees announced on Friday are:

• A one-time cash payment of two months salary to all government employees, including members of the military, in addition to two months worth of living stipends to Saudis studying under government scholarships.

• A monthly unemployment payment of SR2,000 to the unemployed starting from Nov. 26, the start of the Hijra year 1433.

• The establishment of a minimum wage for Saudi government employees of SR3,000 per month.

• SR250 billion allocated for the construction of 500,000 housing units across the country.

• Establishment of the anti-corruption commission within three months.

• SR16 billion allocated to the Ministry of Health to expand facilities and construct new hospitals.

• An increase in the home-building lending limit at the Real Estate Development Fund from SR300,000 to SR500,000 per loan.

• An increase in loan limits to private hospitals from SR50 million to SR200 million.

• The creation of 60,000 new military jobs under the Interior Ministry.

• Wage increases to military personnel through upgrading each member’s pay grade by one step.

• Expanding branches of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, including the creation of 300 new jobs.

• SR200 million to the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for more offices across the county.

• Five hundred new positions at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to check prices in the market and punish violators.

The royal decree also includes the promotion of increased Saudization in the private sector. It also includes an order that the Kingdom’s media organizations refrain from criticizing religious leaders.