Starting the new Hijri year, any company falling in the Yellow and Red Nitaqat zones would face severe penalties, Adel Fakieh, Labor Minister, said here at the weekend. There is a real need for companies to hire Saudi workers because the current ratio is nine non-Saudi employees for each Saudi, which is unacceptable, the minister said during his inspection visit Wednesday to the Madina Labor Office. A company that wants to hire four, five or six non-Saudi employees won't be allowed to do so unless it has hired a similar number of Saudi employees, Fakieh was quoted by Al-Madina Arabic newspaper as saying. The Ministry of Labor has activated online services to save some businesses the trouble of going to Labor Offices, which also make it possible for the offices to focus more on inspection tours, processing complaints and developing new programs, he said. “Any businessman who hires Saudi male and female employees, and satisfies the requirements of the ‘Excellent' category should not worry about going to the Labor Office,” he said. “If he wants to register a new employee, have the license renewed or change the employee's profession, it can do so in the comfort of its office.” Businesses in the “Excellent” category can also apply for extra recruitment visas, he added. Fakieh said he believes no Labor Office employees have been reported for violations of visa quotas. “As far as I know, no Labor Office director or employee has been referred to the Prosecutor General over certain accusations and there are no complaints from any official authority,” he said. “Yes, there are some Labor Office employees who are being investigated over other mistakes, but this is a common thing that happens in other ministries as well.” The Minister of Labor said owners of companies that file applications at recruitment offices are required to satisfy the Saudization percentage. Those who require the Ministry of Labor's services should expect efficient, effective service, he said. “Each service-seeker has the right to receive excellent services based on King Abdullah's directives, which called for facilitating procedures for citizens and satisfying their demands,” he said. Fakieh urged those who want to file a complaint to address their concerns to directors of Labor Offices and send him an email if they do not get a response; his e-mail address can be found at the Ministry of Labor's website. “Anyone who faces a delay in processing has the right to write to the ministry and it will probe the complaint,” he said. — SG Fakieh expressed optimism that the Nitaqat program will accomplish its goals. Saudization-percentage requirements will be applied gradually and private sector companies will be given enough time to upgrade their status, he said.
