Okaz

Saudization has still not been achieved. The issue has become complicated with no solution in sight. Although we have good Saudization programs, they are not properly implemented. When the programs are put into practice, most employers do not enforce them. On the contrary, they try to circumvent the laws and find ways around them. They do this because of the way these programs are implemented.

Saudization preoccupies the minds of all Saudi citizens. I know that officials from the Ministry of Labor make painstaking efforts to solve the issue and increase the percentage of Saudization across all sectors. However, it needs to carry out more comprehensive and all-inclusive research on the subject.

In fact, every citizen should realize that Saudization is an important national issue that should be taken seriously and that no one should circumvent the law. Moreover, everyone should realize that Saudization helps develop and boost our economy.

I must stress that some businessmen have made praiseworthy efforts to promote and achieve Saudization because they realize the significance of the issue and believe strongly in their role as law-abiding citizens who care about the country and its youth. I must also say that the bank sector has done a great job in achieving Saudization. Unfortunately, only a few car companies have achieved the appropriate level of Saudization as many of them still do not have faith in the abilities of Saudi youth.

The Ministry of Labor is not the only one responsible for Saudization. It is everyone’s responsibility. We should all work together to come up with a comprehensive solution that ensures sustainable Saudization.

The implementation of these solutions should be done gradually as implementing them quickly would encourage employers to circumvent the rules. This happened before when the ministry attempted to Saudized the telecom and fruit and vegetable sectors. We can Saudize all these sectors but not now. There are certain fields that we need to focus on. Some are in the private sector while others are in the public sector. For example, we should focus on clerical jobs. They need to be Saudized first before the telecom or fruit and vegetable sectors.