Difficulties in obtaining labor visas, the call for a minimum wage, regulated working hours, the problem of unemployment, women's working conditions and the need for updated labor regulations are among the several topics that will be addressed at the Seventh National Dialogue Meeting which opens in Qassim Tuesday. The main theme of this year's forum is the promotion of dialogue between society and employment related establishments, ministries and other government agencies. “Around 100 participants will be taking part in the two-day meeting,” said Wafaa Al-Tuwaijiri, Assistant Secretary General at King Abdulaziz National Dialogue Center. “The goals of the upcoming meeting is to study the existing labor and employment market and the problems that it faces, identify society's outlook on the current state of the workforce and employment sector and ways to develop them,” said Al-Tuwaijiri. The forum seeks to address the main problems faced by businessmen and businesswomen as well as employees and job seekers. “Along with promoting dialogue among Saudis, encouraging intellectual discussions and addressing topics that are of vital importance to Saudi society and its development, one of the main goals of the national dialogue is to bridge the gap between the average Saudi national and decision makers,” said Faisal Bin Muammar, Secretary General at the KACND. Through such meetings, the Center collects people's opinions, documents their worries, fears and aspirations in diverse topics and submits them directly to decision makers. Since the Center was established in 2003, seven national dialogue forums have been held. Previous forums addressed women's rights and obligations, youth, issues, education, international relations and Saudi national vision in interaction with world cultures. Prior to the seventh forum, approximately 14,000 Saudis participated in the preparatory meetings which were held across the Kingdom in Dhahran, Abha, Jeddah, Tabuk and Riyadh. At the end of the Qassim forum, the Center aims to make recommendations which will be handed over to decision makers. A final report will also be submitted to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. __
