ANKARA: Labor Minister Mufrej Al-Haqabani has said that unemployment among Saudis is relatively high, pointing to the negative impact of retreating oil prices on the economy and labor market.

He confirmed that the Kingdom was continuing with the implementation of development and investment programs in both the productive and service sectors, especially in the infrastructure and transportation fields.

In a speech during a G20 labor ministers’ meeting in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Al-Haqabani said Saudi Arabia witnessed immense growth during the last decade. “With this in mind, the Kingdom is now emphasizing on the improvement of economic variation and the development of non-oil sectors to bolster the gross domestic product (GDP).”

The minister said the Kingdom has embarked upon a comprehensive reform process by launching initiatives and programs that include the development of legislation and systems to employment opportunities to nationals.

The initiatives also include training and skill-building programs, as well as providing social protection to the labor force, he said.

Al-Haqabani said the participation rate of Saudi women in the labor force are increasing, yet stressed that there is still much work to be done in terms of increasing women’s empowerment in the work place and strengthening their participation in the labor force.