His Excellency Engineer Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, honored today, in the presence of several ministers, 30 winning entities that were awarded the "Labor Award" in its fourth edition. The award ceremony highlighted four main categories: "Saudization," "Work Environment," "Skills and Training," and "Chief Executive Officer."
The award recognizes the outstanding efforts of private sector entities that play a pivotal role in increasing Saudization rates, adhering to exceptional and attractive work environment standards, and promoting leadership within their sectors. Additionally, it acknowledges their continuous investment in developing and enhancing the skills of their human resources.
In his speech, His Excellency Minister Al-Rajhi praised the vital role of the private sector in shaping the economic fabric of the Kingdom. He emphasized that the ministry aims, through this award, to encourage institutions to adopt best practices in Saudization and provide ideal work environments aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. He added: "The Labor Award is not a final goal but a means to further improvement and growth in the private sector, contributing to sustainable economic development and the enhancement of our national workforce."
The minister also highlighted the success of Saudization policies, noting that the number of Saudis employed in the private sector reached 2.4 million in 2024, compared to 1.7 million in 2018. This significant increase reflects the effectiveness of these policies in creating job opportunities and achieving national employment goals.
Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development for Labor Affairs, presented an overview of the Labor Award and its positive impact on motivating organizations to implement global best practices for workplace development. He outlined the award's evolution over its four editions, emphasizing the substantial growth in participation, which exceeded 190,000 entities in the 2024 fourth edition, compared to 10,000 in the inaugural edition in 2021. This remarkable growth underscores the award's positive influence in encouraging organizations to apply global standards and enhance their appeal to skilled talent in the Saudi labor market.
Winning entities were honored across the four main categories:
Saudization: Fifteen entities were recognized for their significant contributions to employing Saudis and increasing Saudization rates across various sectors.
Work Environment: Seven entities were honored for providing professional and health-compliant work environments, including those tailored for people with disabilities.
Skills and Training: Four entities were awarded for their training programs aimed at enhancing employee skills, both on the job and for students and graduates.
Chief Executive Officer: Four CEOs were celebrated for their clear contributions to improving performance within their organizations and for advancing innovative business models.
Established as part of the ministry’s efforts to promote Saudization and encourage organizations to improve work environments, the Labor Award aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It seeks to support the private sector in investing in and developing national human capital, thereby ensuring employee retention and fostering career advancement.
