JEDDAH — Some companies ranked higher in the Saudization category might be pushed down the ladder when the new Balanced (Mawzoon) Nitaqat system comes into effect on Dec. 11, Ahmad Kattan, deputy minister of labor and social development for labor policies, told Saudi Gazette. According to the new rules, the numerical strength of Saudi workers will not count. Saudization will be calculated on the percentage of Saudis, average salary of Saudi staff, percentage of women staff, job stability of Saudis, and percentage of Saudis with higher pay. Their salary, number of women staff, years of service of Saudis, and their grades of jobs will also be counted. The ministry, Kattan said, will launch a new calculator that will allow each establishment to know its status in the new Balanced Nitaqat system. Speaking about disabled people, Kattan said they are still counting each disabled person as four Saudis. However, large establishments are required to provide a suitable work environment for the disabled. These include illuminated emergency warnings for the deaf, computerized systems for the visually impaired and easy access for the physically challenged. "These are easy measures that we require only from large establishments. If they fail to implement these instructions, then each disabled person will be counted as two Saudis," said Kattan. He said employers must post job offers at the ministry's website for two weeks. If the employer is not satisfied with Saudi applicants he can proceed with recruitment from abroad. Kattan and other officials from the ministry were explained the new Balanced Nitaqat system to human resource managers during an interaction at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.
