MHRSD announced that the localization of several professions and activities in Madinah and Jazan have come into force on Saturday

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has stated that the localization of several professions and activities in Madinah and Jazan with defined percentages went into effect on Saturday. This is part of the Regional Localization Programme, which MHRSD is executing in collaboration with the municipalities of Madinah and Jazan. The program intends to create more engaging and productive career options for Saudi men and women and boost their labor-force participation rate.

The degree of localization in Madinah areas dining operations is 40%, which comprises a full-service restaurant, banquet kitchens, quick food stores, and juice shops. In Madinah, 50% of the localization involves activity in cafés and ice cream stores.

The activities of wholesale food and beverage shops have also been localized by 50%, except for cleaning, goods, and unloading, provided that their share of workers does not exceed 20%. MHRSD emphasized that the following activities in Madinah's cafes and restaurants are free from localization: cafeterias, caterings, catering contractors; caterers; canteens and cafeterias in companies, offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants and cafes within hotels, flats, and hotel villas.

According to MHRSD, the proportion of localization in the Jazan area is 70% of total employees in the activities of service outlets supplying the activity of advertising agencies in sales outlets. It also covers businesses that repair and maintain personal computers and laptops, except for cleaning workers and goods and unloading workers.

Several occupations in the operation and maintenance of passenger ferries are restricted to Saudis, as per MHRSD. Except for cleaning workers and goods and unloading workers, they are as follows: sea attendant; ticket clerk; accounts clerk; accounts assistant; finance clerk; marketing expert; cashier/salesman; purchasing representative.

On its website, MHRSD has published a handbook for each location in Saudi Arabia that defines the intricacies of localization, professions, and percentages necessary for each activity. It also emphasized the need for institutions to adhere to and abide by the application of regulations to avoid the regular fines imposed on offenders.

The Ministry confirmed that it will provide a package of incentives and support to private sector establishments to assist them in hiring Saudis, including assistance with the process of searching for appropriate workers and the necessary training process, among other things. It will also prioritize the establishments for all available localization support programs and support and employment programs under the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF).