Saudi Arabia decides to localize several professions and activities in Medina

Today, Wednesday, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia, Eng. Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, issued a ministerial decision to localize a number of activities and professions at different rates in the Madinah region, as part of the “Regional Settlement” program implemented by the Ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Emirate of the Medina region. To provide more stimulating and productive job opportunities for the sons and daughters of the country, and to raise their participation in the labor market.

According to a statement, the decision includes the settlement of restaurant activities, whether in stand-alone or mixed buildings, complexes and closed commercial centers, by 40%.

The decision also included the settlement of cafe activities, whether in stand-alone or mixed buildings, complexes and closed commercial centers, by 50%. In addition to the localization of wholesale outlets for food and beverages, with a localization rate of 50%.

The decision excludes the professions of “cleaning worker, freight and unloading worker”, provided that their percentage does not exceed 20% of the workers, while adhering to the uniform.

The decision to localize professions by 40% includes the professions of “marketing specialist” and “sales representative”. As well as localizing the profession of “accounting fund employee”. The implementation of this decision will begin 180 days after the date of its issuance.

The Ministry will provide a package of incentives and support related to supporting private sector establishments to assist them in hiring Saudis, including: support for the recruitment process and the search for suitable workers, support for the necessary training and qualification process, support for the recruitment process and job continuity, in addition to the priority of benefiting from all Emiratisation support programs available in the system. and support and employment programs through the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf).

This decision comes within the framework of a series of numerous decisions and initiatives launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in cooperation with its partners in various government agencies and the private sector, to organize the Saudi labor market, develop it and raise its efficiency, to increase the participation of male and female citizens in the labor market.

The ministry issued a procedural guide detailing the decision and the mechanisms necessary for its implementation to ensure the establishments’ compliance. The Ministry stresses the need for establishments to adhere to the implementation of the provisions of this decision, in order to avoid the statutory penalties that will be applied against violators.