Challenges facing Saudi labor market due to COVID-19 discussed at forum held in Riyadh

The Forum focuses on the main challenges facing the Saudi labor market during the pandemic. He also shed light on the impact of the pandemic on the Saudi labor market, the effects of government policies on the labor market, and future labor market aspirations in the post-pandemic world..

His Excellency the Minister Ahmed Al Rajhi commended the great support provided by the Saudi government, which has helped achieve a notable balance in the labor market, protect workers’ jobs and support organizations affected by the impact of the pandemic, including private organizations and non-profit. The Minister spoke of the initiatives and solutions launched by the ministry to support the growth of businesses and protect the jobs of citizens during the pandemic.

HE Dr Abdullah Abuthnain, Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia said: “Reflecting its responsibility and concern for human health, the Kingdom has taken an initiative focused on citizen health care, residence; regardless of their legal status by increasing the budget for health services to RS 47 billion. Aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the Kingdom’s economy, the government has taken various initiatives and economic stimulus measures, including supporting, exempting and accelerating the payment of private sector contributions, offering 60 % of salaries to relevant private sector citizens, allowing business owners to defer payment of value added taxes due for 3 months, as well as the provision of SME support programs. The Ministry of Finance estimated the total economic support programs provided to deal with the pandemic at SR 177 billion.

Through social dialogue, the ministry seeks to form a mutual vision and strengthen an internationally recognized mechanism for making practical and enforceable decisions on labor market issues that can serve social dialogue and tripartism (government, employers and workers), and improve the continuity of effective cooperation between the 3 parts of production.

SOURCE ALSON World