JEDDAH: The Labor Ministry will announce its new Saudization plan within two weeks, including the mechanisms to enforce the plan and punishments for companies that show negligence in implementing the program, according to Hattab Al-Anazi, spokesman of the ministry.
Speaking to Arab News, he said the plan is being prepared following a royal decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, which called for intensive efforts to solve the country's unemployment problem immediately.
Al-Anazi indicated that the plan could prevent defaulters from recruiting foreign workers once and for all, their licenses may not be renewed and would be denied the ministry's services.
"At the same time, the companies that cooperate with the Saudization plan would get more benefits and incentives," Al-Anazi said.
In accordance with the decree, the Labor Ministry has to send a report to the king every three months about the companies that cooperate with the Saudization plan and those who do not.
He spoke about the meeting that took place between Labor Minister Adel Fakieh and Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza with businessmen on the sidelines of Jeddah Economic Forum.
"During the meeting, the businessmen were briefed on the decree that insists on the private sector to employ more Saudis," he said. He denied reports that businessmen were not cooperating with the plan.
Speaking about those Saudis entitled to unemployment allowance of SR2,000 per month, Al-Anazi said: "A study will be conducted to work out a mechanism to implement the decree on this subject and will be presented to the Supreme Economic Council within three months."
He said no final decision has been taken with regard to who will benefit from this allowance. "So many rumors have spread on this matter which are totally baseless. The king will take the final decision on this matter in the light of a new study."
Meanwhile, Arab News has learned that the Ministry of Labor would soon announce effective steps such as increase in salary and reduced working hours at private companies in order to encourage Saudi workers to take up various jobs.
There are about 500,000 Saudi jobseekers.
The ministry is also thinking of putting more restrictions on foreign recruitment by classifying and naming jobs in accordance with specializations required. It will also revise salaries being paid to Saudis considering their qualifications and experiences.
Companies that employ more Saudis will be given preference to bid for government contracts. Plans are also under way to provide special training to newly employed Saudis to enhance their efficiency.
The ministry will also collect data about job vacancies in all private companies and the qualifications required for filling those jobs. The ministry believes that it could Saudize thousands of jobs in the private sector easily with the support of businessmen.
© Arab News 2011
