Over 81,000 Saudis employed in past 2 months despite COVID-19: Official

More than 81,000 Saudi men and women joined the local labor market over the past two months despite COVID-19 pandemic, said Sattam Alharbi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The employment rate of Saudis hit its highest in the past five years, exceeding 21%, MBC TV reported citing Alharbi.

Women’s employment reached 27%, higher than the 2020 target of 24%, he added.

All types of commercial activities are currently managed by Saudi employees, Alharbi said, indicating that business owners have become truly aware of the Saudization policies. However, the ministry penalizes any employer who does not implement the required instructions in this regard.

Saudization rate in private sector rose to 21.54% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 20.4% during the same period last year, Argaam earlier reported, citing the data of National Labor Observatory (NLO), an affiliate of the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF).