The Ministry of Labor has ordered its committees to start receiving complaints from citizens who were victims of fake private sector employment opportunities and said those who were affected may claim compensation, said Hattab Al-Enizi, a Ministry of Labor spokesman. Enforcement of the Nitaqat program, which ranks companies based on their percentages of Saudization begins next week; it provides benefits for companies that do well and penalties for the erring establishments. “The ministry gave the green light to citizens who wish to sue private sector companies that hired them on the basis of bogus employment contracts and didn't actually assign them any work,” Al-Enizi was quoted by Asharq Alawsat Arabic newspaper as saying. The ministry will also impose strict penalties against the companies that make it appear that they achieved the required percentages of Saudization to obtain financial support from the Human Resources Fund, he added. “These companies will be deprived of the right to recruit workers for five years,” Al-Enizi said. Recruitment of expatriates will be reduced, based on a flexible policy that considers employers' needs and number of Saudis that are able to do the jobs, he added. The employment process, for companies and Saudis seeking work, is facilitated by an Internet-based system, Al-Enizi added. “The ministry has greatly improved its services by introducing online services that allow job seekers to register their names for vacant posts in the private sector,” he said. “Each applicant can register his personal details, take a look at posted jobs and choose a job matching his qualifications. Employers can also view job applicants' CVs and choose the best candidates,” Al-Enizi added.
