Saudi Arabia: Saudization Requirements Announced for Select Businesses and Professions in the Jazan Region

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a decision implementing Saudization ratios in the Jazan region for select businesses and professions; this decision is aligned with the government’s Regional Localization program that aims to increase the participation rate of Saudi nationals in the labor market. Specifically, event reservation agencies and supervisory professions in wedding halls must meet a 100% Saudization ratio by July 19, 2023; and advertising agencies in sales outlets, photography businesses and computer repair businesses must meet a minimum of 70% Saudization ratio by this same date. For each of these categories, exceptions to the Saudization ratio are allowed for professions in cleaning, and freight and unloading as long as the percentage of these professions does not exceed 20% of the total workers in one shift at a time. Additionally, in the maritime sector, the professions of sea attendants, ticket clerks, bookkeepers, financial clerks, and accounts assistants must meet a 100% Saudization ratio by July 19, 2023 and marine engineers, ship safety technicians, sailors, account managers, ship traffic controllers, port controllers, maritime navigator and maritime observers must meet a minimum of 50% Saudization ratio by January 19, 2024. Further, in the marketing sector, marketing specialists, sales representatives, cashiers, purchase representatives and purchase specialists must meet a 100% Saudization ratio by July 19, 2023. Affected employers should review procedural details related to Saudization and comply with effective timelines. Noncompliant employers will be subject to penalties, which can include the suspension of immigration and employment services, including employee transfers and new work permit issuance. If active ministerial decisions require higher Saudization rate for the same professions and sectors listed above, employers must apply the highest rate.