Saudi Arabia announces the deportation of all expatriates working in these professions, starting June 1

Recently, news circulated that all expatriates working in some professions in Saudi Arabia will be deported as of June 1.

This news spread on many news websites and caused concern and anticipation among expatriates residing in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we searched the website of Al-Nasr newspaper to find out the truth about this news, and we present it to you in detail in this article.

It is true that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken several decisions in recent years related to the localization of some professions and preventing expatriates from working in them, as part of its efforts to achieve social parity among the country’s citizens, provide job opportunities for all, and achieve Vision 2023 announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In this article, we will learn about the latest Emiratisation decisions and the professions that will be Emiratised in 2023.

True, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources issued a ministerial decision during the past few days to localize a number of activities and professions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the year 2023. This step comes within the framework of the ministry’s efforts to provide more job opportunities for male and female citizens and enhance their participation in the labor market. The decision included localizing the professions of project management, project management manager, project management specialist, procurement and sales field, and outlets that provide services for shipping activities, freight brokers, as well as women’s decoration and sewing activities. This decision comes as part of the government’s efforts to promote professional Emiratisation and develop national cadres.

Stages of the settlement decision:

True, the decision issued by the Ministry of Human Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia includes two phases to localize project management professions in establishments operating in the Saudi market.

In the first stage, 35% of the total number of project management workers in the facility will be localized. This means that at least 35% of the workers in this profession must be Saudi nationals.

In the second phase, 40% of the total number of project management workers in the facility will be localized. This brings the level of Emiratisation to 40% of workers in this profession.

The following conditions must be met to apply this decision to private establishments:

The establishment should be in the private sector.
The establishment employs three or more workers in project management professions.
The minimum wage is 6,000 riyals.
This step aims to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the labor market and enhance job opportunities for them in the field of project management.

Localization of a number of professions and activities

Indeed, the purchasing and sales professions have also been localized in Saudi Arabia. According to the decision issued by the Ministry of Human Resources, the procurement professions are localized by 50% for establishments that employ three or more employees in the procurement professions.

Buying occupations found in this decision include:

Agent of drinkings.
Contracts Manager.
Brand supply specialist.
Bidding specialist.
Purchasing specialist.
As for sales professions, they include:

sales manager.
Inside Sales Manager.
customers service.
Patent specialist.
Marketing and sales expert.
Printer and photocopier seller.
Computer sales representative.
sales representative.
Retail Sales Manager.
Wholesale Sales Manager.
Commercial specialist.
Sales Specialist.
This step aims to encourage the participation of Saudi nationals in these professions and provide them with stimulating job opportunities in the purchasing and sales sectors.

Several activities and professions are localized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with the decisions issued by the Ministry of Human Resources. As for the outlets providing services for freight activities and freight brokers, it was localized at a rate of 14% for establishments that employ three or more workers in these professions. The occupations included in the localization include:

Agent of drinkings.
Contracts Manager.
Brand supply specialist.
Bidding specialist.
Purchasing specialist.
As for the outlets for women’s beauty and tailoring services, they will be fully localized for administrative positions in all institutions. This decision requires the presence of one Saudi female worker in technical professions for outlets that employ 10 female workers or more in technical professions. This resettlement is done in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.

Postal activities and parcel transportation have also been localized, as senior and first-level management professions in this sector have been localized. This localization is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services and the Public Transport Authority.

With regard to the medical device sector, it will be localized, starting from a specific date, as sales and advertising professions will be localized by 80%, and engineering and technical professions by 50%. This is done in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Human Resources offers a package of incentives and support to private sector institutions to support them in hiring Saudis. Institutions benefit from the support and localization programs available in the system, in addition to the support and employment programs provided through the Human Resources Development Fund (Al-Hadaf).

Procedural guides have been issued by the Ministry to explain the details of the localization of professions and activities and how to implement them. The Ministry stresses the need for institutions to comply with these decisions in order to avoid statutory penalties for violators.