RIYADH — Minister of Labor Ghazi Al-Gosaibi has taken a decision to reduce Saudization quotas for certain industries, including downstream projects, from 30 to 20 percent, it was announced yesterday.
According to the Labor Ministry, the decision, which was taken on Feb. 11, will cover industries for foodstuffs, beverages, textiles, readymade garments, shoes, furniture and paper. The new rule also says the quota of Saudis working in these factories should never fall below 15 percent in the first two years of operation, or three years from the date of licencing.
Deputy Minister of Labor Abdulwahed Al-Humaid said the decision to reduce the number of Saudis expected to work at these factories was necessary to fulfill labor market demands.
R.H., a factory manager, said he has never been able to surpass 24 percent Saudization. “Saudization is a national demand, I agree, but dealing with unqualified Saudi labor in a downstream industrial project can be costly,” said R.H. “Furthermore, the Saudi worker refuses to work inconvenient shifts.”
R.H. said Saudis they have trained in the past have quit after months of training to take government jobs that offer lucrative salaries as well as two-day weekends.
