Saudi Arabia Boosts Emiratisation in Pharmacy,Dentistry,and Engineering
Riyadh,KSA – The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Progress has initiated a significant push to increase national employment across key sectors,with new Emiratisation targets taking effect today for pharmacy,dentistry,and engineering technical professions.This strategic move,undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing,aims to create more stable and rewarding career paths for Saudi citizens.
The updated regulations mandate a rise in the localization rate for pharmacy professions. Community pharmacies and medical complexes will now see a 35% Emiratisation target, while hospital pharmacies will aim for 65%. Other pharmacy-related activities will have a 55% localization requirement.
in the dental field, the first phase of implementation will see a 45% Emiratisation rate, coupled with an increase in the minimum wage for the profession to 9,000 riyals to calculating localization percentages.
Engineering technical professions will also experiance a boost in national employment, with a new target of 30% of the total workforce in these roles. This applies to all private sector establishments employing five or more individuals in engineering technical positions. The minimum wage for calculating localization in these professions has been set at 5,000 riyals.
The Ministry has published detailed procedural guidelines on its website to assist businesses in understanding and adhering to these new requirements. It has also emphasized that non-compliance will result in penalties.
These initiatives are a continuation of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to prioritize Saudi talent in the private sector. The Ministry of Health will oversee the implementation of localization in dental and pharmacy roles, aligning with labor market needs, while the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing will monitor progress in engineering technical professions. Private sector entities are encouraged to leverage the support and incentives provided by the human resources and social development system, including assistance with recruitment, training, rehabilitation, and employment continuation. Furthermore, businesses can benefit from priority access to localization support programs and the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf).
The overarching goal of these measures is to foster a more inclusive labor market, providing stimulating and stable job opportunities for Saudi men and women across all regions of the Kingdom.This aligns directly with the objectives of Vision 2030, which emphasizes the strategic settlement of professions and the targeting of specific activities and roles to enhance national participation.
The Ministry also highlighted the positive impact of previous Emiratisation and support programs, which have contributed to a record number of Saudis employed in the private sector, reaching 2.48 million. This progress is reflected in the declining unemployment rate among Saudi nationals.