Saudi Labor Market to Witness Radical Reforms

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is committed to implementing radical reforms in the labor market in both the public and private sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat).
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is committed to implementing radical reforms in the labor market in both the public and private sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Labor Market to Witness Radical Reforms

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is committed to implementing radical reforms in the labor market in both the public and private sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat).
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is committed to implementing radical reforms in the labor market in both the public and private sectors (Asharq Al-Awsat).

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development underlined its commitment to implement radical reforms in the labor market in both the public and private sectors. Those reforms, according to the ministry, include a set of initiatives that would increase economic participation, raise skills and productivity and improve market efficiency, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, the ministry said that the reforms aim to support the development of existing systems and regulations, thus contributing to reforming the labor market and providing the appropriate legislative environment for the private sector, increasing its growth and creating an appropriate work environment that motivates the workers.

“The Saudi labor market has witnessed in recent years an escalating and continuous development, which reflects the leadership’s determination to support this sector as the backbone of the economy. Moreover, the Kingdom is witnessing an influx of huge investments, which requires keeping pace with the development by benefiting from the experiences of other countries, to reach the aspired goals under the leadership of the Saudi Crown Prince,” a former member of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Abdullah Al-Meleihi, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Meleihi added that the proposed amendments aim to improve the work environment, raise efficiency and maximize competitiveness to meet the requirements of the new leading projects, including The Line and NEOM.

Consultant and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, Dr. Osama Al-Obaidi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the draft amendment of the labor system aims to improve the business environment, reform the labor market, and provide an appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the development of the private sector, as well as supporting women’s participation.

Al-Obaidi stated that reducing the percentage of required nationalization for companies would help curb the costs and increase profits, thus boost economic growth.

The amendments will also lead to an increase in the localization of jobs by reducing the weekly working hours to 40 hours instead of 48 hours and adjusting the working hours in Ramadan to 30 hours per week instead of 36 hours, according to Al-Obaidi.

For his part, Economist Dr. Khalil Khoja told Asharq Al-Awsat that the package of amendments, proposals, procedures and initiatives recently launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development would enhance the digital economy

“The amendments cannot be separated from the Kingdom’s plan to provide decent job opportunities for citizens by intensifying rehabilitation and training programs that aim to produce qualified and professional cadres,” he emphasized.



Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has made history by uniting the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt the Riyadh Treaty on Design Law. This landmark achievement, realized after two decades of deliberation, underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the global intellectual property system.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare event for WIPO, which has not held a diplomatic conference outside Geneva for more than a decade. It was also the first such event hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, representing the final stage of negotiations to establish an agreement aimed at simplifying and standardizing design protection procedures across member states.

Over the past two weeks, intensive discussions and negotiations among member states culminated in the adoption of the Riyadh Treaty, which commits signatory nations to a unified set of requirements for registering designs, ensuring consistent and streamlined procedures worldwide. The agreement is expected to have a significant positive impact on designers, enabling them to protect their creations more effectively and uniformly across international markets.

At a press conference held on Friday to mark the event’s conclusion, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem highlighted the economic potential of the new protocol.

Responding to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Suwailem noted the substantial contributions of young Saudi men and women in creative design. He explained that the agreement will enable their designs to be formally protected, allowing them to enter markets as valuable, tradable assets.

He also emphasized the symbolic importance of naming the convention the Riyadh Treaty, stating that it reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a bridge between cultures and a global center for innovative initiatives.

The treaty lays critical legal foundations to support designers and drive innovation worldwide, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting international collaboration in the creative industries and underscoring its leadership in building a sustainable future for innovators.

The agreement also advances global efforts to enhance creativity, protect intellectual property, and stimulate innovation on a broader scale.

This achievement further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for groundbreaking initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing creativity, safeguarding designers’ rights, and driving the development of creative industries on an international scale.

The Riyadh Diplomatic Conference, held from November 11 to 22, was hosted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and attracted high-ranking officials and decision-makers from WIPO member states.