The number of Saudis working in human health and social service activities and who are subject to social insurance laws and regulations increased by 15.4% during a year, reaching 209,095 citizens at the end of the third quarter of 2021, compared to 177,037 citizens at the end of the same period in 2020.
The total number of workers in the sector reached 444,930 employees at the end of the third quarter of 2021, with foreign workers making up the largest percentage by about 53%, as their number reached 235,835 employees.
Saudi women working in the sector accounted for the largest percentage of women, about 52.6%, with 96,281 female employees out of a total of 183,075 female employees, compared to 86,794 foreign female employees. And male employees working in human health and social service activities accounted for the highest proportion of the total, as their number reached 261,855 employees, according to Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.
This comes at a time when the localization of jobs in health specialties and medical devices will be introduced in all regions of the Kingdom, with implementation starting on April 11, 2022.
Engineer Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, had issued two decisions to localize jobs in health specialties and medical devices in all regions of the Kingdom, in continuation of the ministry’s efforts to provide an appropriate and stimulating work environment for male and female citizens, and to expand their participation in the labor market.
The first decision was concerned with localizing the jobs of medical laboratories, radiology, physiotherapy, and therapeutic nutrition in all medical facilities operating in the Kingdom, with a minimum calculation of seven thousand riyals for the specialist, and five thousand riyals for the technician, where the localization will be 60% of the total. Number of workers in the targeted health specialties.
The second decision was concerned with the localization of the activity of medical devices and equipment, which targeted the professions of sales, and introduction to medical devices, as it will be localized by 40% during the first phase and 80% during the second phase. The first stage and 50% during the second stage, with a minimum count of seven thousand riyals for Emiratisation rates for engineers, specialists and bachelor’s degree holders, and five thousand riyals for technicians and diploma holders.
It is noteworthy that the two decisions will provide more than 8,500 jobs for citizens, and the ministry has issued procedural guides explaining their details and the mechanisms for their implementation to ensure the commitment of establishments, stressing the application of penalties against violating establishments, and the ministry will provide packages of incentives and support related to supporting private sector establishments in hiring Saudis.