Fakieh made the comments while speaking to reporters after visiting factories belonging to Al-Zamil Industrial Investments in Dammam where he was received by the company's managing director, Khaled Al-Zamil.

“Studies are currently being conducted on the best method of dealing with the system of temporary work permits. These studies will take some time to finish. As is the case in many other countries, when a foreign worker obtains a work permit, he or she will be committed to the employers under certain regulations,” he said.

Fakieh said his ministry will announce new mechanisms and decisions relating to the Saudization of jobs in the private sector within the next three months. He added that these new modalities will be announced following workshops with the Kingdom’s chambers of commerce and industry and businessmen.

“The ministry does not want to rush these mechanisms and decisions before considering all aspects and consequences,” he added.

Fakieh said he hopes the new modalities would make qualitative and quantitative leaps in Saudization, and would, at the same time, not hamper economic growth or disable the private sector from effectively carrying out its activities.

The minister said the new modalities would include incentives for companies that honor the process of Saudization and punishments for those who fail.

“There is a great response from businessmen and Saudi companies to employ Saudis but some companies have not done what they were expected to do in this respect,” he added.

Fakieh said he does not believe that the forging of work visas has become widespread, and that his ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Interior to check violations in this area. He also asked citizens and companies to report such violations immediately.