More Saudis going to work

Saudi Arabia affirmed on August 31 that it was pursuing efforts to employ nationals to replace expatriates in line with a phased strategy devised by the government.

Saudi Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Musaed al Sinani said that his ministry notified all departments about the necessity of abiding by a previous cabinet resolution in this respect.

The decision stipulates that Saudi institutions should increase employment of nationals by five percent per year and reserve certain jobs for Saudis, such as those in auditing, treasury, secretarial and civil security services. The minister has praised the departments for cooperating with the government for the sake of realizing the goal of hiring nationals instead of foreigners.

Saudi Arabia's economic plan for the period between 1995 and 2000 aims at employing some 60,000 nationals in the government and private sectors.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries are trying to replace foreign workers with nationals in an effort to bolster their economy.