RIYADH — A Ministry of Labor report revealed that there was a 61 percent increase in foreigners recruited by government bodies last Hijri year. Government departments and agencies recruited 110,223 foreigners in 1433AH, compared to 68,297 in the previous year. Private sector companies recruited 1.18 million foreigners in 1433AH, and the number of domestic helpers (maids and drivers) hired during the year was 1.25 million. The report also revealed that 644 private firms were found to have manipulated their Saudization figures. The number of private firms that were uncooperative in adhering to Saudization requirements was 511. The Saudization Committee has arrested 10,437 workers in the private sector for violating the labor law, while 1,873 firms were fined for various violations. The committee claimed there were 12,175 jobs that could be filled by Saudis but are occupied by foreigners.
