61pc rise in expats employed by Saudi bodies
Riyadh, March 4, 2013
The number of foreigners recruited by government bodies in Saudi Arabia during the last Hijri year rose by 61 per cent compared to the previous year, a report quoting a Ministry of Labour data said.
Government departments and agencies recruited 110,223 foreigners in the year, compared to 68,297 in the previous year, said the report in Saudi Gazette.
Private sector companies recruited 1.18 million foreigners in 1433AH, and the number of domestic helpers (maids and drivers) hired during the year was 1.25 million, it said.
The Saudization Committee arrested 10,437 workers in the private sector for violating the labor law, while 1,873 firms were fined for various violations.
The committee claimed there were 12,175 jobs that could be filled by Saudis but are occupied by foreigners, the report said.
Menawhile, the ministry has drafted a new law recommending the termination of the services of expatriates above the age of 60.
Expatriates over 60 who enjoy considerable experience in a field that is important to the Kingdom will be exempt from the law, the report said.
