RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) will start on Sunday localization of jobs in communications and information technology (IT) sector, as per the procedural guidelines. These jobs include communications and IT engineering, application development, programming and analysis, and technical support. Localization rate of 25% will be applied on each of the three groups in establishments where there are five or more workers, with the exception of small-sized enterprises. The Ministry seeks to provide 9,000 job opportunities in the communications and IT industry to stimulate the sector's growth. It also set the minimum wage of the targeted localized jobs at SR7,000 monthly for specialized jobs and at SR5,000 monthly for technical field professions. On Oct. 5, 2020, the ministry issued a decision to localize the professions of communications and IT in private sector entities. This initiative aims to enable Saudi graduates in the CIT field to obtain decent jobs as well as to provide a suitable and stimulating work environment for them in the private sector, and enhance their work in pivotal jobs to contribute to the development of the private sector. A number of initiatives aimed to support the localization of CIT jobs, most notably the "Future Skills Initiative," which was launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, as well as the programs and services of HADAF, with the aim of qualifying and developing digital professionals and enabling them to work in the CIT field. It is noteworthy that the MHRSD targets the vital specialties that are witnessing diversification and growth to provide many distinct opportunities for Saudi men and women, including jobs in communication engineering, IT, application development, programming and analysis, technical support and technical jobs for communications.
