Saudi Arabia has imposed new quotas on companies in the kingdom to employ local staff, with cuts in permits for foreign workers if they fail to comply. The labour ministry on Saturday launched the latest stage of its ‘Nitaqat’ (Ranges) programme aimed at prodding local firms to employ Saudis as the oil-rich kingdom battles unemployment among its young population.

From September 10, the new programme will determine whether companies — according to their sector of activity and size — are entitled to employ foreign workers depending on their performance in abiding by the quotas. Those in the wholesale trade with the same number of staff have to employ a minimum of 19 per cent of Saudis, with the same quota applied to media, and insurance too.

Published on: 13 June 2011 | The Himalayan Times