12 February 2012
RIYADH -- There is a pressing need to create three million jobs by 2015 and then an additional six million jobs by 2030, said Adel Fakieh, Minister of Laabor.
"This means that short and long terms plans should be focused on job creation," Fakieh was quoted by the local media as saying.
Initial priority, Fakieh said, would be to employ Saudis in well-paying jobs currently occupied by foreigners. He said there are more than eight million foreign workers in the country.
A long term plan would be to create additional well-paying jobs for Saudis, but the effects of this initiative will only be seen after some time.
Another challenge is to ensure better training for Saudi job seekers in practical, technical and administrative jobs, as is the case in other countries.
A further challenge is to ensure that there is an adequate supply and demand for jobs in the country, and a process to link job seekers with job opportunities.
He said the ministry has undertaken several measures to assist the process.
This includes assigning all training and employment responsibilities to the Human Resources Development Fund.
The ministry, said Fakieh, will mainly be responsible for policy decisions and overseeing the labour system in line with Islamic law.
He said the ministry is determined to ensure that labour disputes are settled, jobs are localized and penalties given to businesses that fail to comply with the law.
RIYADH -- There is a pressing need to create three million jobs by 2015 and then an additional six million jobs by 2030, said Adel Fakieh, Minister of Laabor.
"This means that short and long terms plans should be focused on job creation," Fakieh was quoted by the local media as saying.
Initial priority, Fakieh said, would be to employ Saudis in well-paying jobs currently occupied by foreigners. He said there are more than eight million foreign workers in the country.
A long term plan would be to create additional well-paying jobs for Saudis, but the effects of this initiative will only be seen after some time.
Another challenge is to ensure better training for Saudi job seekers in practical, technical and administrative jobs, as is the case in other countries.
A further challenge is to ensure that there is an adequate supply and demand for jobs in the country, and a process to link job seekers with job opportunities.
He said the ministry has undertaken several measures to assist the process.
This includes assigning all training and employment responsibilities to the Human Resources Development Fund.
The ministry, said Fakieh, will mainly be responsible for policy decisions and overseeing the labour system in line with Islamic law.
He said the ministry is determined to ensure that labour disputes are settled, jobs are localized and penalties given to businesses that fail to comply with the law.
The Saudi Gazette 2012
