H.E. Minister of Labor and Social Development issued a directive to keep 12 activities exclusive for Saudi males and females starting from the next Hijri year (1440 A.H.), which is as part of the ministry’s keenness to empower Saudi citizens to seize job opportunities and raise their participation in the private sector.
Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman at MLSD, said the activities which are expected to be exclusive for Saudi nationals will cover point of sales that target watch shops, optics shops, medical supplies and equipment, electrical and electronic appliances, auto parts, building and construction materials, carpet shops, bikes and automobiles, home and office furniture shops, ready wear apparel, children and men cloths, kitchen utensils and bakeries.
Abalkhail pointed out the ministerial decision instructs employers to comply with the feminization decisions that target certain activities, adding this decision is in harmony with other issued nationalization decisions which are implemented within the timeframe as per the memoranda of understanding signed between the ministry and the governorates of regions.
According to the ministerial decision, Abalkhail highlighted that the ministry, the Human Resources Development Fund and the Social Development Bank will form a joint committee to prepare a program for exploring capabilities in the nationalized sectors, as well as coordinate with related entities.
A raft of penalties will be imposed against violators who fail to replace expat workers with Saudi nationals or comply with the feminization decisions, Abalkhail said.