Saudi Arabia is studying whether to implement a minimum wage for some sectors where nationals are employed, the kingdom's labour minister said in remarks published on Monday.

Ghazi Al-Gosaibi did not name the sectors in comments published by pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. There were no direct quotes.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, this year introduced cost-of-living allowances and welfare payments for public sector employees as it tries to offset the impact of rising inflation on its 25 million people.

Inflation in the largest Arab economy almost doubled in the six months to March, when it hit 9.6 percent, its highest since at least the 1970s, official data showed on Sunday. - Reuters