RIYADH — Minister of Labor and Social Development Ahmed Bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi has emphasized the importance of true and effective partnership with the foreign recruitment sector to overcome challenges, reach a clear vision that serves stakeholders and to facilitate Saudi recruitment procedures.

At the workshop on “Challenges and Issues Faced by the Foreign Recruitment Sector” held in Riyadh on Tuesday, Al-Rajhi has said the workshop enhances and renews the ministry’s relationship with the recruitment sector.

The minister said the gathering aims to achieve reciprocal benefits for all parties and foreign recruitment agencies in Saudi Arabia, which keeps updated with recent developments encountered by the foreign recruitment sector because of regulatory and mediation activities and the signing of agreements with labor-exporting countries.

The workshop was attended by Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Abdullah Bin Nasser Abuthnain along with senior ministry officials, investors and owners of manpower agencies

Al-Rajhi also said the foreign recruitment sector is one of the vital sectors as it influences the Kingdom’s image locally and internationally and has its own impact on individuals and families, in addition to its integrated role in enhancing workforce and private-sector entities, in order to create job opportunities for Saudi men and women.

The minister told the participants: “The business model of recruitment companies has been transformed since 2011 with the aim of achieving several benefits, regulating recruitment for workers either leased by individuals or private-sector entities and providing suitable options instead of traditional methods of overseas recruitment. It will contribute to raising the level of service for customers and ensure the rights of both workers and employers.”

He added: “We are the concerned party to comply with regulations, laws and previously-signed international agreements and those to be signed. And also we are the concerned party to support our customers.”

Additionally, the minister stressed the importance of providing affordable insurance for domestic workers and meeting the demand of skilled foreign workers who add value to the Saudi workforce, which stems from balanced partnership between the ministry and the recruitment sector.

The workshop explored several challenges, such as reviewing recruitment costs compared to those in neighboring countries that serve both Saudi citizens and entities. The participants called on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through allowing them to recruit enough numbers of foreign workers who are skilled and well-trained. — SG