RIYADH: The first stage of Zones, (Nitaqat) System, which entered into effect on June 11, will continue on an experimental basis until Sept. 11, Ahmad Al-Humaidan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor for Labor Affairs, said Monday. Once the three-month period ends, the ministry will start dealing with establishments that fall into the red and yellow zones according to the program's rules and apply the privileges and concessions given to establishments in the green and excellent zones, he added. He made the comments during a meeting he held in Riyadh to explain the Zones System and the Ministry of Labor's plan to activate it. He said the penalties, which serve as a third stage, would start on Nov. 27, warning that they will be critical for violating organizations unless they correct their status. He said that from Jan. 25, 2012 (1st of Rabi' Al-Awwal, 1433H), penalties will be levied on the establishments falling into the yellow zone. Al-Humaidan said the penalty is meant to control foreign workers, in the interest of citizens seeking jobs. He also discussed 21 initiatives for Saudization in private-sector jobs. They include wage protection and job-security systems, incentives program and setting up 18 employment offices in different cities. He said the Zones System will foster competitiveness among companies and confirmed that its privileges would benefit enterprises fulfilling its conditions and requirements. Companies that meet the requirements will have competitive advantages over those not able to reach the positive zones, he added. Al-Humaidan reiterated that the Nitaqat System will not discriminate between enterprises. He said the issue of Saudization is a national concern and one that businesses must focus on with great seriousness. The Ministry of Labor's analysis and research into the employment of Saudi nationals and the conduct of enterprises toward Saudization show that human resources regulations and the salary scale in the private sector are less clear than they are for public-sector jobs, Al-Humaidan said. That leaves a great number of people with a view that government jobs are preferable to those in the private sector and causes concerns about job insecurity and salaries, some of which do not cover basic needs, he added.
