The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in Saudi Arabia has issued several decisions to implement Saudization ratios for select businesses in procurement and sales, project management, outlets providing services for shipping activities and freight brokerage, beauty salons and tailors for women. The decisions aim to increase the percentage of Saudi nationals working in these industries.
Below are the new Saudization requirements for specific activities and professions identified by the MHRSD:
Project Management:
Profession:
- Project manager
- Project management specialist
- Project management office specialist
- Communications project manager
- Project manager for business services
- Transportation project manager
Effective Target Dates:
- 35% by December 24, 2023
- 40% by December 12, 2024
Scope and Requirements:
- Private sector companies with three or more employees working in project management professions
- Minimum monthly salary is SAR 6,000
Procurement:
Profession:
- Purchasing manager
- Purchasing representative
- Contracts manager
- Private trademark supply specialist
- Bidding specialist
- Procurement specialist
Effective Target Dates:
- 50% by December 24, 2023
Scope and Requirements:
- Private sector companies with three or more employees working in procurement professions
Sales:
Profession:
- Sales managers
- Retail sales manager
- Commercial specialist
- Sales specialist
- Wholesale sales manager
- Information and communication technology equipment sales specialist
- Sales representative
- Commodity Broker
- Futures commodity broker
Effective Target Dates:
- 15% by December 24, 2023
Scope and Requirements:
- Private sector companies with five or more employees working in sales professions
Postal and Freight Activities:
Profession:
- Freight brokers
- Freight forwarders (freight brokers by sea)
- Packing and unloading
- Loading and unloading of air cargos
- Freight handling activities
- Transport and marine freight agencies
- Accredited air freight agencies
- Shipping and distributing goods services
- Air freight consolidation agencies
- Air freight handling of goods and parcel services
- Cargo handling activities
- Receiving and unloading goods and products from conveyors, describing them and arranging them on the shelves
- Loading and unloading of cargo and passenger baggage, regardless of the mode of transport
- Air transportation of goods
Effective Target Dates:
- 100% by October 26, 2023
Exceptions:
- Professions in loading and unloading, packaging, and wrapping, shelving, product sorting, wheelbarrowing, storing, and facility cleaning, provided that the percentage of these professions does not exceed 20% of total workers in one shift at a time
Ladies Beauty Salons and Tailors for Women:
Profession:
- Branch manager
- Deputy branch Manager
- Human resources supervisor
- Department supervisor
- Client accountant
- Receptionist
- Customer service
- Inventory keeper
- Sales professions
Scope and Requirement:
- 100% by December 24, 2023
Exceptions:
- Professions in cleaning, nail care, body care, transportation and delivery
- Tailor for women
- Make-up artist
- Hair care professional
- Photography and montage professional
- Skin care professional
A minimum of one Saudi female employee in outlets which employs 10 or more non-Saudi workers by December 24, 2023
Employers in affected industries should review the procedural details related to the new Saudization requirements and comply with applicable timelines. Non-compliant employers will face penalties, including the suspension of immigration and employment services such as new work permit issuance and employment transfer.
