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Riyadh: Saudi Labour Minister Dr Gazi Al Gosaibi has criticised the private sector for not supporting government policy in hiring more Saudi citizens in the private sector.
Speaking at the Shura Council (Consultative) on Sunday, Al Gosaibi, whose statements were carried by the Saudi media yesterday, revealed that work visas issued by his ministry have risen to 1,700,000 in 2007.
The ministry has been facing accusations from businessmen following its tight measures on issuing visas for recruiting foreign manpower. The ministry, on the other hand, accused businessmen of not backing its efforts of hiring more Saudis in the private sector.
While underlining the importance of education and training, Al Gosaibi noted that most Saudi unemployed persons lack higher education.
Most unemployed persons are holding pre-secondary school qualifications, he said, adding that even if they get jobs, they will not continue due to their poor education and also poor salaries and also due to the private sector's policy of hiring low wage workers.
He pointed out that unemployment in Saudi Arabia is declining. He noted that his ministry has recently conducted a national employment strategy which was forwarded to the Supreme Economic Council for ratification. However, he did not give details about this strategy.
Statistics released by the General Statistics Department have revealed that there are 280,000 unemployed male Saudis and that 90 per cent of them lack the appropriate education qualification for minor jobs," the Saudi minister noted.
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