JEDDAH, 12 November 2005 — Saudi Arabia’s membership in the World Trade Organization won’t affect the rights of Saudi job seekers, according to Qussi Al-Falali, director general of the Labor Office in the Western Region.
At a special session in Geneva yesterday, WTO’s ruling General Council gave approval for Saudi Arabia to join the global body after more than a decade of talks.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Falali said the new labor law allows a Saudi worker to enjoy an annual vacation of 20 days. “When a worker completes 10 years in service, he will be entitled for annual vacation of full month,” he said.
Al-Falali said the new labor law, which has been passed by the Council of Ministers, allows Saudi women to work in all fields suitable to their nature.
“We in the Labor Ministry have instructed all departments and private companies to implement the law in order to help Saudi men and women live decently under the state’s care,” he said.
He said the labor office would give approval for recruitment visas only when qualified Saudis were not available to fill the vacancies.
“We receive applications for visas but instruct companies to employ Saudis instead of recruiting foreigners,” Al-Falali said. “We have restricted 29 main jobs to Saudis as non-Saudis will not be employed in these jobs.”
Some 232 subsidiary jobs are included in those categories.
For example, the jobs of security officer and security guard come under the main job category of security, and the job of cashier includes several other related jobs.
Al-Falali also spoke about seasonal job visas issued for companies, adding that they would be given in two phases. “In the first phase 75 percent of visas are given and in the second 25 percent,” he added.
The Labor Office is placing a large number of Saudis in the private sector every month.
“In Jeddah alone, we find employment for 600 Saudis weekly and about 2,500 Saudis monthly,” Al-Falali said, noting that private sector businesses are supporting the initiative.
