SAUDI TO OFFER CASH INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE SECTOR TO HIRE LOCALS

The Saudi government has announced that it will offer cash incentives to private sector employers who hire Saudis, according to local media reports.

Saudi minister of Labour and Social Development Ahmad Al-Rajhi announced the initiative whereby the government will offer support for Saudi employees earning between SAR4,000 ($1,066) and SAR10,000 per month.

Al-Rajhi said the programme was one of several initiatives in the kingdom to encourage the hiring of nationals in the private sector and increase their participation in the labour market.

The kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aims to reduce local unemployment from 11.6 per cent to 7 per cent and increase women’s participation in the workforce from 22 per cent to 30 per cent.

To achieve that, the country has imposed several restrictions on hiring expatriates in sectors like retail, while also imposing higher fees on foreign nationals.

Since 2012, the kingdom has charged SAR200 ($53) a month for each foreign worker at private sector companies where the number of expatriates exceeds Saudis.

This fee increased to SAR300-400 ($80$107) per foreign worker in 2018 and will rise to SAR700-800 ($187-$213) by 2020.

Recently, the country imposed job restrictions in 12 retail roles, as part of which facilities will have to ensure at least 70 per cent of their staff are Saudi nationals.

Local reports have indicated up to 1.22 million jobs held by foreigners could be affected by the new rules.