The Ministry of Labor revealed in a report published last year that 87 percent of private sector establishments are in the “white category” of the Nitaqat nationalization scheme.
The “white category” alludes to companies with only 10 employees and which are consequently required to hire only one Saudi.
This translates to a staggering 1.7 million establishments that are essentially excluded from the Kingdom’s nationalization plans aimed at creating employment for Saudi citizens.
Only 265 companies were categorized within the zones of the Nitaqat nationalization program — the red, yellow, green and platinum. This means that only 13 percent of companies fully comply with requirements for job nationalization.
The report pointed out that the ministry would embark on the fourth phase of the wage protection program in March. The move will ensure that employees receive their monthly salaries on time and will curb manipulation in delaying payment.
The fourth phase will include establishments with 500 to 1,000 workers.
“The last phase of the program will be implemented in October on establishments with 100 to 200 workers,” the report said.
The report indicated that the number of recruiting offices increased to 338 last year, compared with only 208 in 2009. Around 40 new offices were opened last year alone.
1.7 million firms out of Nitaqat purview
1.7 million firms out of Nitaqat purview
Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces and Syria state
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed an agreement between the Syrian state and Syrian Democratic Forces.
In a foreign ministry statement early on Monday, the Kingdom said it had welcomed an deal between Damascus and Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces that was announced by the Syrian government on Sunday.
The agreement entails merging all SDF forces into the defense and interior ministries and means that Kurdish forces will redeploy to east of the Euphrates river.
The 14-point deal would also see the immediate administrative and military handover of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates.
The Syrian state would regain control of all border crossings, oil fields, and gas fields in the region, with protection secured by regular forces to ensure the return of resources to the Syrian government, while considering the special case of Kurdish areas, the state news agency SANA reported.
The ceasefire comes after intense fighting between the SDF and government troops in Aleppo. But SDF troops have now pulled back from there and the Syrian army now controls most areas east of Aleppo.
The Saudi foreign ministry statement also thanked the US for the agreement. Washington is believed to have supported brokering the ceasefire between allies SDF and the Syrian government, who they have also backed diplomatically since the fall of long-time dictator Bashar Assad.
The Syrian state announced on Friday a raft of new directives to recognize Syrian Kurds, including making their language official and bolstering other rights for the minority group.
