The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) took part today in a virtual international symposium about the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI), which was launched by the HRSD on November 4, 2020, and came into effect on March 14, 2021. The symposium was organized and held by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva. The symposium was moderated by Head of the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil, and the HRSD was represented by Deputy Minister for Control and Development of Work Environment Sattam bin Amer Al-Harbi. The symposium was attended by officials of international organizations concerned with labor affairs, including the International Labor Organization (ILO) which was represented by Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNH) represented by Chief of Branch for Development, Economic and Social Rights Todd Howland, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) represented by Head of Labour Mobility and Human Development Division Marina Manke. Also, the Saudi Human Rights Commission participated in the symposium. The symposium focused on several major discussion topics centered around the new reforms in the Saudi labor market, and the impact of LRI on workers' rights in terms of job mobility, and freedom to enter and exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as exchanging views on the lessons learned and the difficulties facing the implementation of the initiative, and providing relevant policies and measures related to the new laws regulating foreign workers. LRI is one of the "National Transformation Program" initiatives, aiming at supporting the vision of HRSD in building an attractive labor market, empowering and developing human competencies, and developing the work environment.
