Private sector businesses have until Feb. 22 to change the professions of their workers, said Hattab Bin Saleh Al-Enaizi, spokesman of the Ministry of Labor. He said that this applies to companies falling into all the zones of the Nitaqat Program, the government's Saudization drive. However, when the grace period ends on Feb. 22, only companies falling into the Excellent and Green zones of the Nitaqat Program can still change the professions of their workers. The ministry, he said, has special criteria for certain positions, such as engineering. It is mandatory for engineers to approach their labor office and produce their credentials and accreditation from the required authority. With regard to medical professions, he said the ministry made it clear that all health professionals must produce their licenses from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, along with proof of their qualifications. This applies to doctors, surgeons, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapy technicians and laboratory technicians. It also includes medical records clerks, administrators and medical secretaries. Saudis excluded from the Feb. 22 deadline are those working as personnel managers, labor affairs managers, labor relations managers, human resources specialists, personnel clerks, recruitment clerks and time keepers. He said the amendment service is offered through the ministry's site at www.mol.gov.sa. The ministry has so far processed 35,000 job amendment applications through its website, he added.
