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Saudi Shura Council Calls for Addressing Pandemic Repercussions on Labor Market

The Saudi Shura Council demands the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development help provide jobs to those affected by pandemic lay-offs (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Shura Council demands the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development help provide jobs to those affected by pandemic lay-offs (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Shura Council Calls for Addressing Pandemic Repercussions on Labor Market

The Saudi Shura Council demands the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development help provide jobs to those affected by pandemic lay-offs (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Shura Council demands the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development help provide jobs to those affected by pandemic lay-offs (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council on Monday demanded that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development coordinates with specialized parties to reinforce efforts for resolving the repercussions the coronavirus pandemic had on employment in the Kingdom.

Saudi authorities had launched several initiatives like the government covering 60% of salaries in private sector industries hit by the pandemic.

The move came as part of a 9 billion riyal ($2.4bn) economic package, and allows companies forced to consider staff lay-offs to apply for government aid of up to 9,000 Saudi riyals for the next three months.

In other news, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released its Labor Market Publication for Q3 of 2021.

The publication’s results showed that the unemployment rate of the total population (Saudis and Non-Saudis +15) remained stable at (6.6%) in Q3, 2021. However, the unemployment rate of the male population reached (3.3%), while the female population recorded (17.1%) according to the estimates of the Labor Force Survey for Q3, 2021.

As for the unemployment rate of Saudis (Males and females +15) in Q3 of 2021, the results revealed that it remained stable at (11.3%) compared to the previous quarter. The results also showed that the unemployment rate of Saudi males (+15) in Q3, 2021 fell to (5.9%) compared to (6.1%) in the previous quarter. Furthermore, the unemployment rate of Saudi females (+15) decreased to (21.9%) in Q3, 2021 compared to the previous quarter (22.3%).

The results of the Labor Market Publication for Q3 of 2021 also revealed that the labor force participation rate of total population (Saudis and Non-Saudis +15) in Q3 of 2021 increased to (61.2%) compared to (60.8%) in the previous quarter. However, the labor force participation rate of male population (+15) reached (78.3%), whereas the female population (+15) recorded (35.9%). Moreover, the results indicated that the labor force participation rate of total Saudis (Males and females +15) increased to (49.8%) in Q3 of 2021 compared to (49.4%) in the previous quarter.

On the other hand, the labor force participation rate of Saudi females (+15) in Q3 of 2021 went up from (32.4%) in Q2, 2021 to (34.1%) in Q3, 2021.

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Estidamah, Saudi Coffee Company Join Forces to Boost Kingdom’s Coffee Industry

The partnership is part of national efforts to boost local coffee production, which will support the economy and help achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. (SPA)
The partnership is part of national efforts to boost local coffee production, which will support the economy and help achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. (SPA)
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Estidamah, Saudi Coffee Company Join Forces to Boost Kingdom’s Coffee Industry

The partnership is part of national efforts to boost local coffee production, which will support the economy and help achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. (SPA)
The partnership is part of national efforts to boost local coffee production, which will support the economy and help achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. (SPA)

The National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah) and the Saudi Coffee Company signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation aimed at boosting the coffee sector in the Kingdom, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The partnership is part of national efforts to boost local coffee production, which will support the economy and help achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

It focuses on various key areas, including localizing modern technologies for coffee cultivation and production, implementing findings from research and applied studies, and boosting the skills of local farmers through training in best agricultural practices in order to improve crop quality and maximize economic returns.

The joint research team will focus on technological innovation and prioritize the use of nanotechnologies and biocatalysts to improve coffee plant growth.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence will be utilized to manage coffee farms more efficiently, ultimately leading to greater productivity and improved quality.

The partnership will explore the possibility of using alternative water sources, including rainwater harvesting, to ensure the long-term sustainability of production and open up new possibilities for expanding coffee cultivation in different regions of the Kingdom.

Estidamah board member Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Saghir said this partnership marks a significant advancement for the Saudi coffee industry by leveraging Estidamah's research expertise with the Saudi Coffee Company's marketing capabilities.

The ultimate objective, he explained, is to position the Kingdom prominently on the global map of coffee production.

Sustainability Director at the Saudi Coffee Company Dr. Abdullah Bokhari said the collaboration marks an important stride toward empowering local farmers and boosting the global competitiveness of local coffee.

The collaboration is anticipated to generate new job opportunities and bolster rural development in coffee-producing areas, thus enhancing the quality of life for local communities.