What is Saudization?
Saudization is the Saudi national policy requiring private-sector employers to hire a minimum proportion of Saudi nationals, enforced through the Nitaqat banding system. Sector-specific Saudization targets apply on top of the general Nitaqat framework, and several professions have been progressively restricted to Saudi nationals only.
Saudization explained
Sector-specific Saudization targets apply on top of the general Nitaqat framework, and several professions have been progressively restricted to Saudi nationals only.
Compliance is assessed on genuine employment: nationals must be registered with GOSI, paid at or above the applicable threshold, and performing real work.
Related terms
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