Saudi suspends work permit renewals for foreigners in certain roles

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Development has reportedly suspended the renewal of work permits for expatriates in jobs expected to be filled by Saudi nationals.

The move follows the publishing of a list of 19 professions to be occupied by citizens at public and private sector organisations, according to local media reports.

Positions on the list range from senior human resource managers to heads of personnel sections, heads of labour and worker affairs, heads of personnel affairs, specialists and clerks in personnel affairs and employment and clerks in receptions, hotels, hospitals, government relations and grievance departments.

Other include security guards, treasurers, typewriter key repair staff and female workers in women’s requirement shops.

Read: Saudi female workforce in retail climbs to 200,000 ahead of ban on foreigners

The kingdom has also restricted other professions to Saudi staff including heads of tourism agencies and retail roles in shopping malls and it is currently moving to replace 28,000 foreign staff in the public sector.

Read: Saudi to replace 28,000 foreigners with citizens in public sector

The Saudisation timeframe for each role is to be determined by the ministry in accordance with labour market requirements, spokesperson Khalid Aba Al-Khail was quoted as saying.