07/04/2026 03:37 AST
Saudi Arabia has expanded its Saudization program to cover 69 additional administrative support professions in the private sector, mandating full nationalization of those roles from April 5.
The move, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, extends 100 percent Saudization to a wider set of job categories, including secretarial work, translation, data entry and other administrative functions. The decision applies to all establishments employing at least one worker in the covered professions.
The ministry said the update aligns with job definitions under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations and is part of broader efforts to boost national workforce participation and create more employment opportunities across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia's Saudization program, introduced in 2011, requires private firms to meet hiring quotas for nationals under the Nitaqat system, supporting Vision 2030 goals to boost local employment and private sector participation.
"The update comes as part of the ministry's efforts to enhance the participation of national talent in the labor market and to provide stimulating and productive job opportunities for citizens across the Kingdom's regions," HRSD said in a release.
Companies will be required to comply with the new rules under updated procedural guidelines published by the ministry, with penalties in place for violations. Firms will also have access to support programs covering recruitment, training and employment through initiatives such as the Human Resources Development Fund, known as Hadaf.
The ministry has published the updated procedural guide on its website, outlining details of the new professions and implementation mechanisms, and urged all establishments to comply with the decision to avoid the prescribed regulatory penalties for violators.
Saudi Arabia has continued to expand and tighten its nationalization framework under its broader labor market strategy, with measures issued in January targeting marketing and sales professions in the private sector.
HRSD introduced decisions to raise Saudization rates in these roles, applying to defined occupational categories classified under the same classification of occupations to ensure consistent enforcement across establishments.
In January, the ministry also issued two decisions to increase Saudization rates in engineering and procurement professions, aiming to enhance national workforce participation and expand sustainable employment opportunities across the Kingdom.
The ministry said that the Saudization rate for engineering professions will increase to 30 percent, while the minimum monthly salary in the private and nonprofit sectors will rise to SR8,000 ($2,130).
HRSD also applied a 55 percent Saudization requirement for dental professions in the private sector from Jan. 27, as the program's second phase came into effect.
The measure covers 20 dental professions and is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health. It follows the first phase, which set a 45 percent Saudization target effective July 27, 2025.
Arab News
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