Saudization Program was a policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as an encouragement for the local residents to be employed by the private sectors. Some of the measures used by the Saudi government to implement the Saudization program such as warnings to companies who do not comply with the program.
One of the latest measures that was used by the Saudi government was the Nitaqat which cl(–foul word(s) removed–)ifies the company into four categories. As of 2004 their were only at least 500,000 Saudi citizens were working at the private sectors compared to the 6 million expatriates working in the Kingdom.
Overseas Filipino Workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was estimated at more than 1.4 million expats currently working in different sectors. According to the official statistics released by the POEA on its website. There were 293,049 OFW’s deployed to the Kingdom last 2010, the highest not only in Middle Eastern countries but worldwide.
The Saudization program will affects OFW’s who are currently working in establishments in the Kingdom who found it difficult to employ Saudi’s on their establishments due to the higher salary given to the Nationals compared to the expats. There were problems also regarding the work ethics of the Saudi nationals.
Here are some lists of impacts of Saudization to Overseas Filipino Workers:
- Most OFW’s were working on establishments. The possibility of transferring to companies who were complying with the Saudization program was difficult.
- For the new OFW’s there is no impact but for those who are already working in the Kingdom it will affect them.
- OFW’s who are working with compliant companies can help those who were working on non-compliant companies.
- Saudi Nationals preferred to work as supervisors and managers which will affects Filipino middle-level managers and supervisors.
- Additional headache to Filipino supervisors and managers especially those who are working in the production department.
- OFW’s especially those who were working as salesman and merchandisers will be affected, Saudi’s preferred to work as salesman.
- Establishments preferred to closed their establishments instead of employing Saudi nationals.
There were other impacts on Overseas Filipino Workers who are working right now here in Saudi Arabia. Please feel free to add your comments below if you have any idea regarding the Saudization program.