RIYADH: The Shoura Council on Sunday blamed the government for not taking action to fill more than 150,000 existing government vacancies.
The observation was made at the council's weekly session held under its Chairman Abdullah Al-Asheikh.
The members said despite royal decrees and Saudization programs introduced by the government, the concerned sector has not taken suitable measures to fill these vacancies with Saudi personnel.
Based on the observations made by members, the Shoura suggested the Ministry of Civil Service chalks out a five-year program to phase out non-nationals in the public sector and replace them with Saudis during a set timeframe.
According to Shoura Council Secretary-General Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, the Shoura suggested that women workers should be allowed to retire after a period of 25 years of service in the public sector. On a recommendation made by the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy, the council approved the draft convention on Free Trade Zone with the GCC and Singapore.
Al-Ghamdi said the convention, which includes 129 articles, would boost trade and investment between Singapore and GCC countries.
Al-Asheikh said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's speech on Friday was inspiring and affirmed his keenness on ensuring a decent life for the citizens. He also pointed out that the social spending package announced by the king fulfilled the needs of the Saudi society.
Thanking King Abdullah for his gesture in providing such relief for the citizens, Al-Asheikh said that the king had shown great care and attention to the needs of the people.
The chairman said that the package of royal decrees is a comprehensive strategy adopted by the king to strengthen stability and boost the country's development to benefit the citizens.
Al-Asheikh also requested the private sector to extend their fullest cooperation in the implementation of the new recommendations made by the king.
© Arab News 2011
