Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has decided to Saudize 20 % of the engineering jobs effective from the beginning of the year 2021. This will cover 117 engineering professions, with a minimum monthly salary of SAR 7000.
The decision applies to all private sector establishments with five or more employees in engineering professions. The decision will not be applicable on private establishments employing four or less foreign engineers. The Ministry has given the private establishments 18 weeks’ time to correct their Saudization status in accordance with the directive.
The ministry announced incentives and support to private sector establishments for employing Saudi engineers which include supporting the recruitment process and searching for suitable employees; supporting the required training and qualification processes; and supporting employment and job stability procedures for Saudi engineers.
According to ministry the decision was taken in view of the labor market situations pertaining to engineering professions and activities.
The ministry warned that it will stop government services for any establishment if found committing violation with regard to employing a foreign worker in any one of the targeted engineering professions with a professional title different from that recorded in the work permit.
The decision comes along with a set of decisions to localize the professions that the Ministry worked on in cooperation and partnership with the relevant government and supervisory agencies to enable graduates with qualifications from the Saudi citizens to obtain decent job opportunities.
