Approved Amendments To KSA Labour Law

Since its accession to the WTO in 2005, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has embarked on a dual process of opening its markets to foreign companies (its bourse, the largest in the Middle East will shortly open to foreigners) and regulating its labour market to promote employment for nationals. Approximately three years ago, the Ministry of Labour also published 80 proposed amendments to the KSA Labour Law which have been sharply debated by the business community. The amendments are designed in part to bridge the gap between the private and public sectors thereby encouraging nationals to work in the private sector. Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Labour announced that 38 amendments had been approved by the Council of Ministers.