The Saudisation Of Sectors

The recent Ministerial Resolution on the Saudisation of the sale and repair of mobile phones, together with the earlier resolutions on the retail of female clothing, indicate a growing approach by the Ministry of Labour to require the complete Saudisation of certain activities within the retail sector. In this article we examine the existing requirements and also the proposal for a weighted Nitiqat.

Sale and repair of mobile phones

Ministerial Resolution 1592 of 28/5/1437 H provides that all employers selling mobile phones and accessories as well as providing repair services must be staffed entirely by Saudi nationals. This requirement is being implemented in two stages: a) 50% Saudisation must be achieved by 1 Ramadan 1437 (approximately corresponding to 5th June 2016); and b) 100% Saudisation must be achieved by 1 Thu Hija 1437 (approximately two months later).