Expats faces uncertainty as Saudi implements nationalisation of 23,000 jobs

RIYADH: Nationalisation of jobs is being implemented in more areas in Saudi Arabia, giving a huge blow to expatriates, including those from India. According to the Middle East media, quoting Ahmed bin Sufian Al-Hassan, Saudi Minister of State for Transport and Logistics, it is aimed to indigenize 23,000 jobs in 28 positions in the transport and logistics sector.

About 10,000 jobs in the cargo transport sector, 3,000 in the passenger vehicle sector and 10,000 in the air transport sector are aimed at indigenization.

Citizens are now being trained in train driving, maintenance and control of signals at the Saudi Railway Technical Institute. The Minister said that this will help to implement Saudization in the railway sector.

In Saudi Arabia, a decision was taken earlier to limit the delivery work of two-wheelers to locals only. The Act will be implemented in a phased manner over a period of 14 months. The regulation was issued by the General Transport Authority. Foreigners working in the delivery sector using motorcycles must wear uniforms. But natives don't have to wear uniform. It has also been decided to allow advertisements on light transport vehicles in coordination with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing.