Over 159,000 Saudi women employed in wholesale and retail sector in 2016

Riyadh region topped other regions in employing female workers in private sector firms. (Al-Eqtisadiah photo)

RIYADH: The number of female Saudi employees in the wholesale and retail sector in private sector companies stood at 159,588 by the end of 2016, local media said, quoting figures released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.
Riyadh region topped other regions in employing female workers in private sector firms, which employed 28 percent of the total throughout the Kingdom, the report said.
On the other hand, 2016 registered a growth of 8 percent in the employment of Saudi female staff in the finance and real estate sectors, compared to figures of 2015, with 147,398 female employees.
Earlier, the ministry identified 19 professions which should be occupied by Saudi nationals including senior human resources managers in government and private firms; heads of personnel sections; heads of labor and workers affairs; heads of personnel affairs; specialist in personnel affairs; clerk (personnel affairs); clerk (employment); clerk (employee affairs); clerk (timekeeping); clerk (general reception); clerk (hotel reception); clerk ( patient reception); clerk (grievances); treasurer; security guard (special); clerk (government relations); typewriter key repair; customer clearance; and female workers in women’s requirement shops.
Meanwhile, the ministry suspended renewal of work permits of expatriates occupying jobs to be filled by Saudi nationals and ordered companies not to transfer services of foreigners to them. It said penalties will be levied against companies employing expat workers in jobs limited to Saudi nationals. The ministry also ordered that work and jobs in closed shopping malls be limited to Saudi male and female employees.
Ministry spokesman Khalid Aba Al-Khail said the above Saudization decision contains a time frame for application and locations to be determined by the Minister of Labor and Social Development in accordance with labor market requirements and data of work applicants.