Saudi opens restricted jobs to mothers, children of citizens

The Saudi government has issued a decree allowing the mothers of citizens and children of Saudi women to work in professions restricted to nationals.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development said the decision cancelled all previously conflicting ministerial orders, according to Saudi Press Agency.

Any workers employed in this category will be counted as a Saudi employee under the Nitaqat Saudisation system.

The rule change will open work in a growing list of professions now limited to Saudi citizens in the kingdom.

These include as staff in shopping malls, mobile phone shops, grocery shops, car rental offices and drivers for ride hailing apps

Read: Saudi says 150,000+ jobs created by barring foreigners from ride app roles

Read: Saudi to ban foreign workers from grocery shop jobs

Women will also still be allowed to work in shops selling female clothes and accessories following the implementation of the third phase of a decision to limit roles in the sector to female citizens only over the weekend.

Read: Only Saudi women can now work in female clothes, accessory stores in kingdom