Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Musaid Ibn Muhammad Al-Sinani yesterday addressed a seminar in Dammam organized by the Arab Society for Development of Human Resources on the topic of "Saudization and Development of National Cadres", and highlighted the great attention being given to this by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard. Minister Al-Sinani said the labor system currently being implemented in the Kingdom emphasizes that the Saudi citizen has the right to work, and that a non-Saudi is only entitled to occupy a position after meeting the conditions stipulated. Employers who are obliged to hire non-Saudis should be working for the vocational training of national cadres.

Minister Al-Sinani pointed out that the development process that accompanied the implementation of the Kingdom's five-year plans required employment of large numbers of workers, both Saudis and non-Saudis, in both government and non-government sectors. Now, following the recruitment of large numbers of Saudis in the government sector, it has become essential for the private sector to increase its recruitment of nationals. Minister Al-Sinani referred to the Sixth Development Plan (1995-99) as emphasizing the significant role to be played by the private sector in the recruitment of citizens, adding that this has become a strategic goal for the state.
Minister Al-Sinani went on to point out that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has adopted certain measures to realize saudization of jobs, including revision of the labor system. A draft is currently under consideration by the concerned authorities including the Secretariat-General of the Manpower Council and a number of businessmen. Also under consideration are amendments to the social insurance system, and private sector training for citizens. In addition, Minister Al-Sinani reported that the Ministry has developed a data center for the business market which will make the necessary information available for job seekers.

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