TAIF — In its efforts to increase the rate of Saudization of jobs, the Ministry of Labor has turned to parents in a novel program aimed at encouraging Saudi women to enter the job market. The ministry has designed brochures addressed to parents in which they are asked to instill a sense of work ethic and discipline in their children and remove any stigma children may have about taking up certain jobs. The ministry launched the program under the motto of “Your Way to Localization” and another goal of the campaign is increase the rate of Saudization in companies that are in the Red and Yellow zones of the Nitaqat Program. The Nitaqat program categorizes companies in four categories — Excellent, Green, Yellow and Red. Companies in the first two categories have met the required Saudization quotas and are offered perks including the ability to apply for work visas and renews their expatriate workers' residency permits (Iqamas). Companies in the Red and Yellow categories failed to meet the required Saudization quotas and are slapped with various restrictions. — SG
