January 3, 2003 -keralamonitor.com

20 Per cent Ceiling on the Number of Expatrites in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia will put a 20 percent ceiling on the number of expatriate workers and their dependents in the Kingdom. This is part of efforts to solve the mounting unemployment problem that fuels Islamic militant groups and swelling support for terrorist groups. The plan will be executed within 10 years.The unprecedented strategic decision was taken by the Manpower Council, which is chaired by Interior Minister Prince Naif. The Saudi monarchy, like other rulers in the region, has been concerned about growing unemployment and social unrest that attracted the youth to Al Qaeda and other terrorist networks.

Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, secretary-general of the council, also disclosed plans to ensure that the number of workers from any single country, along with their dependents, should not exceed 10 percent of the total number of expatriates. “Interior Minister and Chairman of the Manpower Council Prince Naif issued a decision fixing a ceiling for the number of expatriate workers and their dependents in the Kingdom.

They should not exceed 20 percent of the total population in Saudi Arabia,” Humaid told the Saudi Press Agency. Measures will be taken to reduce the total number of expatriates to the 20 percent rate by the end of 1433H (2013), the secretary-general said, adding that the council will review the ceiling as well as the measures taken to implement it every two years. Humaid said that he expected the decision would reduce the number of expatriate workers in the country gradually over the next 10 years and that more job opportunities would be created for Saudis as a result.Humaid said that Prince Naif has also endorsed a strategy to develop Saudi manpower in the health sector. The strategy was prepared by the council’s secretariat, the Health Ministry and other related agencies and its goal is to prepare Saudis to take up various jobs in the health sector. There are between six and seven million foreign workers and family members living in Saudi Arabia, where the indigenous population is estimated at around 17 million. (keralamonitor.com)