Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The decision to implement total Saudization in closed commercial complexes (malls), which came into force on Wednesday, will generate jobs for as many as 15,000 young Saudi men and women, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Speaking to Al-Ekhbariya Television channel, Deputy Minister for Saudization Majed Al-Dhahwi said that more than 4,000 jobs out of the targeted 15,000 have already been identified in the private sector.

He pointed out that the professions and trades exempted from the decision of localization include specific professions, which are cleaning, shipment, unloading and barber shops, in addition to some technical professions such as maintenance of toys.

The Saudization of malls came into effect following the decision of Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi in April this year to reserve 100 percent of jobs to citizens in all activities and professions in malls as well as at mall management offices, excluding a limited number of activities and professions. This was the first among the three decisions issued by the minister that aim to create a total of 51,000 jobs for Saudis in the employment market.

The second decision, issued by the minister, is to increase the rate of Saudization in the sales outlets of restaurants and cafes in accordance with their classifications and required percentages specified in the procedural guide issued in this regard. The third decision involves increasing the Saudization rates in the major central supply market outlets in accordance with their classifications, professions, and the required percentages and phases of Saudization specified in the procedural guide.