RIYADH – Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi has issued two new decisions with regard to Saudizing jobs in certain health specialties and in the medical appliances sector in all regions of the Kingdom. The new decisions are expected to create more than 8500 jobs for Saudi nationals. The move was in continuation of the ministry's efforts to create appropriate work environment for male and female citizens, and to expand their participation in the labor market. The decisions will come into effect on April 11, 2022. One of the decisions was for localizing jobs in medical laboratories, radiology, physiotherapy, and therapeutic nutrition departments in all medical facilities operating in the Kingdom. To count in the Nitaqat Saudization program, the minimum salary of a specialist is fixed at SR7000 while it is SR5000 for a technician. The targeted rate of Saudization will be 60 percent in the health specialties. The second decision was concerned with Saudizing sales and advertising professions in the private medical equipment and appliances sector. The rates of Saudization will be 40 percent in the first phase and 80 percent by the end of the second phase. The decision also targeted Saudization of engineering and technical professions pertaining to medical appliances in private sector establishments, with 30 percent Saudization in the first phase and 50 percent in the second phase. in order to count for the required percentage of Saudization, the minimum salary for engineers should be SR7000, for engineers, specialists and bachelor's degree holders, while it is SR5,000 for technicians and diploma holders The two decisions are expected to generate a total of more than 8,500 jobs for Saudi men and women. The ministry has issued procedural guidelines explaining the details of the decisions and the necessary mechanisms for implementation to ensure compliance by the establishments. The ministry stressed that penalties will be slapped on the violators, while packages of incentives and support will be given to private sector establishments that adhere to the regulations with regard to employing Saudis in health specialties. Meanwhile, the ministry has set SR7000 as minimum salary for dentists and pharmacists to count for the Nitaqat Saudization program. Minister Al-Rajhi issued a ministerial decision approving the amendment in this regard. The new decision will come into force on April 11, 2022. According to the update, only a Saudi dentist or pharmacist who draws a monthly salary of SR7000 will be counted in the Nitaqat program. This move comes within the framework of the ministry's keenness to provide productive and stable job opportunities for Saudi men and women, and raise the level of their participation in the labor market. The procedural manual for the localization of the dental profession specified that this decision applies to all private sector establishments operating in the Saudi job market that employ three or more dental workers. It also stipulates that the dentist shall obtain professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, according to what is stated in the system of practicing health professions and the executive regulations for the practice of health professions. Non-accredited dentists are not counted in the Nitaqat program. The procedural manual stipulates that the decision to Saudize the pharmacy profession applies to all private sector establishments operating in the Saudi market, which employ five or more workers in pharmaceutical professions. The pharmacy employees are also required to obtain professional accreditation from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Non-accredited workers will not be counted for the required Saudization rates. The procedural guides for nationalizing health professions and medical appliances sector can be viewed by visiting the links: https://hrsd.gov.sa/sites/default/files/13102021.pdf and https://hrsd.gov.sa/sites/default/files/12102021.pdf.
