The Ministry of Labor has cancelled the licenses of 225 private recruitment firms for “misleading” advertisements promising high-paying positions for Saudi jobseekers, said Hashem Rajih, Administrative Advisor at the ministry. The ministry has a special agency that monitors and issues licenses to recruitment companies, Rajhi was quoted by Al-Madina Arabic daily as saying. A recruitment company owner must be a university graduate who ought to submit a business feasibility plan and have a permanent address. Rajih said the ministry's rules stipulate that a recruitment company is allowed to interview Saudi jobseekers and publish advertisements without making any promises. Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammad Halwan, advisor to the Ministry of Labor, said a decision will be issued soon that will see government aid to companies linked to their level of Saudization. The official said the Ministry of Labor is also studying a proposal to help small businesses grow and employ Saudi youths. Halwan said the Hafiz Program has helped the ministry collect data on the unemployment situation in the Kingdom. He said more than 1.5 million jobseekers have submitted their CVs but have not found jobs. This includes those looking for better job prospects. He said the government has several plans to solve the unemployment crisis, including the privatization of public services aimed at improving their efficiency and performance.
