Minister of labor Dr Ghazi al-Quseibi has announced reduction of the saudization rate from 30 percent to 10 percent at the bakeries, female sewing workshops, male tailoring workshops, workshops of smithcraft; carpentry; aluminium; mechanics and automobiles as well as laundries, farms, agricultural and animal projects, land transport, drivers of trucks, fuel stations, pharmacies, and optical centers provided that administrative and financial jobs are confined to Saudis. The decision was taken in the light of the recommendation submitted by the committee assigned to implement the decision of saudization. In a press statement, Dr Al-Quseibi said if any Saudi shows desire for working in one of these occupations, then priority will naturally be given to him, and the grant of visas will depend on his recruitment. Dr Al-Quseibi attributed the reduction of the saudization rate to lack of keenness on the part of Saudis to occupy these jobs in a manner that may impede the development of these activities. Moreover, he noted the complaints of some businessmen pertaining to the stoppage of their activities due to their failure to realize the fixed rate of saudization, and banning them from recruiting foreign manpower for undertaking these activities.
