JEDDAH, 8 April 2007 — The Labor Ministry is planning to enact a new law restricting practice of specialized professions to qualified persons. It will study 43 professions in the first phase, including engineering, medical and financial professions. The move is aimed at reducing professional mistakes.
Market analysts said the new law was planned as a result of Saudi Arabia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), which demands from the Kingdom to comply with international market requirements.
Some laws of profession including those practiced in the United States demand presentation of an academic certificate to practice a profession or a certificate of experience of not less than 10 years in addition to a certificate of pass from an accredited training institute.
The new law demands establishment of training institutes approved by the Labor Ministry. These institutes will provide certificates in accordance with international standards approving the ability of a person to practice the profession.
In a related development, a project has been opened in Jeddah to train Saudis in various jobs. The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials including Dr. Rashid Al-Zahrani, chairman of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Council in the Makkah region.
