Saudization is being expanded to new professions and activities by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). Project management, procurement, sales, freight brokerage, decor outlets, and women's tailoring are some of these services.
Various phases of the Saudization drive are underway to create more jobs for young Saudi men and women. To provide more stimulating and productive job opportunities for Saudis and increase their participation in the labor market, the ministry partnered with other ministries and supervisory authorities to embark on the Saudization journey.
Project managers and project management specialists are among the professions that have been saudized. The Saudization of this sector will take place in two phases, in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. In the first phase, 35 percent of the total number of project management professionals in all firms with three or more workers will be targeted, and the minimum wage will be SR6000.
The procurement professions were already localized by 50% for establishments that employed three or more procurement workers, and the sales professions were already localized by 15% for establishments that employed five or more sales workers. Under Saudization, procurement professions include purchasing manager, purchasing representative, food manager, private trademark supply specialist, and tendering specialist.
Among the sales professions under Saudization are sales managers, internal sales and customer service managers, patent specialists, marketing sales experts, printer and copying equipment salesmen, computer salesmen, retail sales managers, wholesale sales managers, commercial specialists, and sales specialists.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the ministry implemented Saudization in 14 activities related to freight activities and freight brokers. Additionally, all administrative jobs for women's decoration and sewing services had been Saudized. Saudi female workers in technical professions must also be appointed in outlets with 10 or more female employees in technical professions.
The Ministry announced the start of implementing the second phase of Saudization of postal activities and parcel service, as well as the start of the second phase of localization of the medical appliances sector, effective from April 1, after the end of the grace period granted for the localization of these professions and activities.
The localization of mail and parcel transportation activities includes limiting the profession of CEOs to Saudis, and localizing first-level professionals of senior management by 50 percent in all establishments licensed by the supervisory authority to practice postal and parcel transportation activities, with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the Public Transport Authority implementing the localization.
A second phase of localization for the medical appliances sector involved the Saudization of sales, advertising, and promotion by 80 percent, and the localization of engineering and technical professions by 50 percent. In cooperation with the Ministry of Health, it applies to all establishments operating in the field of medical appliances and supplies.
The ministry confirmed that it will provide a package of incentives to support the private sector establishments and assist them in hiring Saudis, as well as take advantage of all Saudization support programs within the system, as well as support and employment programs through the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF
Procedural guides issued by the ministry explain the process of localizing professions and activities as well as the mechanisms for implementing them. In addition, the ministry instructed private establishments to comply with these decisions in order to avoid statutory penalties.
