“The new program consists of regulations and mechanisms that will change the fundamentals of the job market and seek to achieve incremental employment of Saudis and ban the private sector employing non-Saudis if sufficient local hands are available,” Fakieh said.

The ministry will announce in a few weeks the details, including the rights and obligations of the private sector and the rights of the jobseekers, Fakieh said. The ministry will also identify companies that cooperate with the ministry’s intensified employment drive, the minister said.

“The ministry will no more allow the employment of non-Saudis denying the rights of the local people. Companies and establishments that do not follow the new recruitment guidelines and regulations will be punished,” he said.

He promised special incentives to the companies that achieve maximum Saudization enabling them to achieve greater progress. He added that the ministry has started taking steps to speed up the implementation of the new allowance scheme for the unemployed. The registration process for new scheme will be simplified with the launch of a new website.

“All private companies will have to publish their vacant jobs for the information of the unemployed. If the number of posts is not enough to fill all the unemployed, those who did not get employment will be paid a monthly allowance until they find a job,” the minister said.

The ministry will set up a supreme committee under the Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Prince Naif. Its members will include the chairman of the Royal Court and the ministers of education, higher education, finance, civil service, economy and planning and social affairs. The committee will be empowered to seek the help of domestic and foreign experts to find quick solutions for the unemployment issue, said Fakieh.

He said businesses should understand that Saudization of jobs in the long run would be advantageous to the private sector, because it would reduce the amount of money being sent out of the country through remittances by foreign workers.

“The private sector should not think that the new regulations are against its interests even if a bit harsh and strict,” said Fakieh.

“As long as there is fairness, transparency, and commitment from all sides, the new regulations will bring more profit to all.”