Labour Licence Violations in Focus
Saudi Arabia has issued a strict warning to employers against allowing expatriates to perform jobs not listed on their work licences. This measure is part of the Kingdom's efforts to uphold labour laws and encourage the employment of Saudi citizens.
Response to Employer Malpractices
The Ministry of Human Resources has clarified that changing the listed profession of expatriates to avoid hiring Saudi nationals constitutes a violation of labour regulations. The ministry has encouraged individuals to report such violations through official applications.
Saudisation: A Step Towards Job Localisation
Saudi Arabia has implemented various initiatives to promote “Saudisation,” a labour policy aimed at reducing reliance on foreign workers. Incentives are provided to private-sector companies to create employment opportunities for Saudi citizens in key industries such as:
- Education
- Telecommunications
- Real Estate
- Healthcare
New Plan for Healthcare Job Localisation
In October, the Kingdom unveiled a new plan to localise specific healthcare roles in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Localisation rates will increase across four professions:
- Radiology: 64%
- Medical Lab Fields: 70%
- Therapeutic Nutrition: 80%
- Physiotherapy: 80%
The changes will be implemented in two phases, beginning in April 2025 in major cities and expanding to all institutions by October 2025.
Economic and Employment Impact
The enforcement of labour laws and localisation policies is expected to create substantial job opportunities for Saudi nationals, reducing dependency on foreign workers and fostering economic growth.
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