The Ministry of Labor has signed an agreement with a specialist international company to help it draft guidelines, rules and legislation for employing Saudis with special needs. The agreement is in line with a Royal Decree issued earlier this year which stipulates that framework legislation is needed for this section of the population. The initiative is part of the government's Nitaqat Program, its latest Saudization drive. The company will work with officials at the ministry to finish the first stage of the project in four months. The year-long second stage of the project will be devoted to raising awareness and encouraging companies to hire people with special needs. The project is part of the ministry efforts to ensure that all sections of the population is covered by the Nitaqat Program. Saudi Gazette reported earlier this year that a study is underway to calculate the percentage of Saudization at companies which recruit Saudis with special needs. Adel Fakieh, Minister of Labor, said the ministry will ensure companies hire people with disabilities, by mandating a maximum and minimum number. Companies which employ above the maximum number will be rated one-to-one. Currently, the employment of one Saudi person with a disability equals four able-bodied Saudis.
