Saudi nationals have called on Engineer Adel Fakeih, the newly appointed labor minister, to introduce the necessary regulations that will ensure the Saudization program creates jobs for many thousands of unemployed citizens. Fakeih should also create opportunities for Saudi women to be employed in various industries. Abdul Rahman Al-Sahafi, Director of the Information Department at the Jeddah Health Administration, said the responsibility lies with Fakeih to create job opportunities for unemployed graduates and reduce the number of expatriate workers in the country. He said this can be achieved through reducing the number of recruitment visas for workers coming to the Kingdom. Abdul Rahman Al-Muttairi, District Chief (Umdah) of Al-Salama, said there should be new regulations and labor laws for companies that protect employees' rights. This includes specifying salary scales, opening new job opportunities for the unemployed, and setting out working hours. Fahd Mahboob, a lawyer and legal consultant, said training and jobs must be created for women. Women should be given the opportunity to work in technical and manual jobs. Mahboob said women should be allowed to work in shops for women's clothing, cosmetics, dressmaking, and women's accessories. Abdul Lateef Al-Abdul Lateef expressed his hope that Fakeih introduces a minimum salary of SR4,000. He said many people are suffering because of low pay. He added that working hours should be specified and that Thursday and Friday should be declared a weekend vacation for all workers. Noora Al-Ghamdi, a businesswoman, called on the minister to create jobs for women, and to provide help for them in all aspects of their work. Fahd Al-Ghamdi said that there should be a ban on the transfer of sponsorship because this has led to an accumulation of large numbers of expatriate workers in the Kingdom. Al-Ghamdi added that the renewal of an Iqama should only be allowed twice. Renewal for a third time should only be allowed for jobs such as “consultant doctors”. He said Muslim workers in the Kingdom should only be allowed to perform Haj and Umrah once. This is to reduce overcrowding, he argued. Al-Ghamdi stressed that those working in jobs they are not recruited for should be arrested and deported immediately. Also, they should be placed on a blacklist for a period of at least 10 years. Engineer Saleem Al-Harbi, a member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), congratulated Fakeih on his appointment, and said that Saudization should be undertaken carefully. “We hope he gives priority to Saudization but this should not clash with the progress of development projects. We should aim for this target with caution. Also, those who trade in visas should be taken to task. Visas for foreign workers should be granted according to actual need. Furthermore, this should not clash with Saudization. The percentage of Saudization should be laid down on the basis of careful studies – for each company according to the nature of its work. Engineer Abdul Lateef Talal Kalkattawi, called on Fakeih to ensure a better future for Saudi youth by creating jobs for them. Those who break the rules regarding Saudization in the private sector should face stiff penalties, he said. “It is necessary to raise the minimum salaries for Saudis and force private sector companies and establishments to comply with this especially considering the rise in the cost of living, prices of consumer products and real estate. It is impossible for an employee with a family to live on a monthly salary of SR3,000. So what about those whose salaries are half this amount or less? How will they survive?” Kalkattawi said he wanted to remind citizens that there are training opportunities for them at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). He said the minister should also ensure that employees are not kept in the same job for many years without any promotion. “Annual increments should be clearly specified especially for employees with low salaries.” Kalkattawi said that there should be penalties and fines for companies that terminate the services of Saudi employees arbitrarily.
