In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has announced the beginning of implementation of the Saudization decisions regarding 'Customer Service' professions and the Saudization of the 'Legal Professions' throughout the country.

In continuation of the Ministry's efforts to provide Saudi citizens with a stimulating and productive work environment, to increase their level of participation in the Saudi labor market and to improve their contribution to the economy, as outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030, this comes after the grace period specified for the Saudization decision.

- According to the MHRSD, the decision includes localizing Customer Service Professions by 100%, either within companies that provide customer service as their primary or supporting activity, or by outsourcing this service to another party to serve their customers through means of communication, including leadership and supervisory positions.

The second phase of Saudization of "Legal Professions" involves 70% of the total number of workers with legal consulting professions. In this phase of the decision, legal advisory services are targeted at all Saudi Arabian companies, law firms, and legal advisory offices.

Legal advisors for public systems, legal advisors for private systems, contract specialists and clerks of legal affairs are included, with a minimum salary of 5,500 riyals for bachelor's degree holders. According to the Ministry, the first phase of the decision was a 50% Saudization rate.

- The Ministry to provide a package of incentives and support related to supporting private sector companies to help them in hiring Saudi nationals, including support for the recruitment process and the search for suitable workers, support for the necessary training and qualification process, assistance in the process of employment and job stability for citizens, in addition to the priority of benefitting from all Saudization support programs available in the system and support in employment programs through HRDF (Human Resources Development Fund).

A guide has been issued by the Ministry explaining the details of these two decisions. Companies must adhere to the provisions of these decisions, in order to avoid the statutory penalties that will be imposed against violators, according to the ministry.

SOURCE : SAUDI EXPATRIATES