Saudi labor force : challenges and ambitions

Abstract EN

This study aims to provide some background information on the efforts made towards the development of local manpower and replacement of foreign labor in Saudi Arabian society, especially during the last three decades of the 20th century by the end of the year 2000 A.

D.

The study adopted the exploratory method of a number of studies and efforts that have been made with regard to human resource development as well as the process of job replacement in Saudi society.

The importance of the study is to draw attention to the fact that, despite the efforts and steps taken at the levels of education and training and the development of some job-placement policies and the quest to create career opportunities, there is still a need for further efforts for the development of local human resources and reducing dependence on foreign labor particularly in the private sector.

The study adopts in addressing the subject, three axes.

The first axis focuses on the growth of the labor force in Saudi Arabia and the efforts that have been made for its development and training to meet the local needs of labor market.

The second axis explains the policy of Saudization (the process of increasing indigenous labor force participation in order to reduce dependence on foreign manpower) and its applications in Saudi Arabia in recent years.

Attention is paid to some obstacles that still face the government in achieving its goals of Saudization of the labor force, particularly in the private sector.

The third axis discusses the labor market in Saudi Arabia, in relation to the country’s economic structure, labor market structure and labor market policies and challenges.

The study concludes by drawing attention to the importance of harmonization between the educational system and the actual requirements of the labor market, and that the massive unplanned capital expenditure on education will bear fruit only through rehabilitation and preparation of qualitative not only quantitative human resources, and corresponds to the creation of job opportunities to accommodate the tremendous increase of graduates and applicants for employment.

On the other hand, the interest in qualifying the labor force has begun to outstrip domestic policy change to the economics of globalization; since that human resources must be prepared not only at the level of domestic competition, but at the level of international competition, which is needed to look for the 21st century.