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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Saudization explained: What it means for jobs, expats, and employers in Saudi Arabia
Saudization promotes hiring Saudi nationals across private sector industries under Vision 2030/ Represenatative Image TL;DR Saudization ( Nitaqat ) is a national policy requiring companies to hire Saudi nationals. Businesses are ranked by how well they meet set quotas based on size and industry. While expats face stricter competition, skilled professionals are still valued and needed. Saudi Arabia is facing a generational shift in how its workforce operates. For decades, the country leaned heavily on foreign workers, especially in the private sector. But that's changing. With over half the Saudi population under 35 and unemployment among nationals a growing concern, the government is actively working to change the balance. This shift is being driven by Saudization, officially called the Nitaqat program. It's part of a larger plan, Vision 2030, to diversify the economy and create more opportunities for Saudi citizens. At its core, Saudization is about getting more locals into private sector jobs, especially in industries that have long depended on expats. Under this system, companies are required to hire a specific number of Saudi nationals, based on their size, sector, and existing workforce. The policy is mandatory and comes with real consequences, both incentives for compliance and penalties for falling short. For companies, this means rethinking how they hire. For expats, it means being more strategic about where and how they fit into a changing job market. What Is Saudization? Saudization is a government program that sets hiring quotas for Saudi citizens within private companies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Career Help with IGNITE BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo It was introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to tackle unemployment among Saudi nationals and build up the country's local workforce. Unlike many public sector jobs, which already employ large numbers of Saudis, the private sector has long relied on expat labor, particularly for technical, administrative, and service roles. Saudization is focused on this part of the economy. Linked to Vision 2030 Goals: The broader objective is to reduce unemployment to 7% by the next decade (from a high of 12.9% in 2018). It also supports Saudi Arabia's efforts to build a more resilient, knowledge-based economy. How the Nitaqat Classification Works Six Tiers Based on Compliance: Private companies are placed into six zones depending on how many Saudi nationals they employ relative to their total workforce: Platinum- Highest level of Saudization High Green- Above average Medium Green- Compliant Low Green- Below target Yellow- Minimal compliance Red- Non-compliant Why It Matters Companies in higher zones (Platinum, High Green) get benefits such as quicker visa processing, easier labor approvals, and priority in certain government services. Lower-zone companies (Yellow, Red) face delays, hiring restrictions, and even fines or suspension of services. Who Needs to Comply? Companies with 10 or more employees must follow the classification system. Smaller companies are not exempt, they must still hire at least one Saudi national. Saudization Rules in 2025 As of 2025, the Saudization program is being updated with stricter enforcement and more targeted sector-specific requirements. For example: In retail and customer service, Saudi nationals are required for front-line roles. HR departments must be led by Saudi managers. Sales roles in women's clothing stores must be filled by Saudi women. Some sectors, like aviation, hospitality, and IT, now have sub-quota requirements for specific job titles. The Ministry updates the quotas annually, so companies need to stay informed or risk slipping into a lower compliance category. Jobs Reserved for Saudi Nationals Some roles are now fully restricted to Saudi citizens. These positions are not open to expats, regardless of their qualifications. Examples include: HR roles: Executive HR Manager, HR Director, Payroll Officer Customer-facing jobs: Call Center Clerk, Reservation Agent, Cashier Specialized roles: Air Traffic Controller , Meteorologist, Dispatcher Sales roles: Sales specialist (especially in women-only stores) Clerical work: Tourist Info Clerk , Complaint Clerk, Booking Agent The list of restricted jobs grows each year as the government expands the Saudization policy into more fields. What It Means for Expats Saudization encourages companies to prioritize hiring Saudi nationals, especially in roles where local talent is increasingly available, such as HR, administration, and customer-facing services. This means hiring decisions now take national employment goals into account more than before. But this shift doesn't close the door to expats. In fact, professionals with specialized skills are still in high demand, particularly in industries where expertise remains scarce locally. These sectors include: Engineering Healthcare Technology and software Education Senior management Saudi Arabia continues to attract experienced professionals who bring value through technical skills, leadership, or global experience. As the job market becomes more focused and selective, expats who offer unique capabilities remain key contributors to the country's growth. Similar National hiring efforts across the Gulf Saudization isn't unique. Other Gulf countries have introduced their own national hiring initiatives: Emiratization (UAE): Encourages companies to hire Emirati nationals, with increasing mandatory quotas. Omanization (Oman): Targets replacement of expats with Omanis, especially in oil, banking, and telecom. Qatarization (Qatar): Focuses on national employment in strategic sectors like energy and finance. Bahrainization (Bahrain): Aims to train and place Bahraini nationals in both public and private sectors. Each program has different levels of enforcement and industry focus, but they all reflect a broader regional trend: governments want their citizens more involved in shaping the economy. FAQs 1. Does Saudization apply to all companies in Saudi Arabia? Yes. All private sector companies are expected to comply, especially those with more than 10 employees. Smaller companies still need to hire at least one Saudi citizen. 2. What happens if a company doesn't meet Saudization quotas? Companies in the Red or Yellow zones may face restrictions, including blocked work visas, fines, and reduced access to government services. In serious cases, a business license can be suspended. 3. Can expats still find jobs under Saudization? Yes, but it depends on the industry and role. Expats with strong qualifications in sectors like engineering, tech, and healthcare are still needed. However, roles in admin, sales, and HR are increasingly going to Saudi nationals.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Happy Birthday Katrina Kaif, Here's all about the actress journey from modelling at 14 to Bollywood hits
Katrina Kaif has not only carved a successful career in Bollywood but has also won the hearts of fans over the years. She is popularly called India's Barbie Girl, Katrina is celebrating her 42nd birthday today, July 16. On this special occasion, here's a look at her life, family, and film journey. Early Life and Family Background The 'Race' actress was born in Hong Kong and spent her childhood in several different countries before eventually settling in London. Her father, Mohammad Kaif , is of Kashmiri origin, while her mother, Suzanne Turcotte, is British. Parents' Separation and Upbringing Katrina's parents separated when she was very young. After the split, Katrina and her siblings were raised by their mother, who worked as a lawyer and social worker. It is believed that her father moved to the USA after the divorce, and Katrina has never met him since. Bond with Her Mother She often credits her mother for her strength and success. She has shared in many interviews that everything she is today is because of her mother's support and upbringing. Kat's family background She comes from a huge family and is very close to her siblings. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 100% Online, Flexible Learning BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo She has three elder sisters, three younger sisters, and one elder brother. Her eldest sister, Stephanie Turcotte, is known to be quite introverted and keeps a low profile. Her brother, Sebastian Turcotte, is the second child in the family. He works as a furniture designer and enjoys adventurous activities. Her third sister, Christine Turcotte, is a homemaker. Another sister is a jewellery designer, while Melissa Turcotte is known for her professional expertise in her field. Isabelle Kaif , one of Katrina's younger sisters, is a model and is currently working to make her mark in Bollywood. The youngest of the siblings, Sonia, is a fashion photographer and has carved out her own creative path. Started work at young age Kat began her career in modelling at the young age of 14. During her modelling days, she got her first break in the film 'Boom' (2003). After that, she appeared in several advertisements and even worked in the Telugu film 'Malliswari'. She later featured in 'Sarkar', but her major breakthrough came with 'Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya' (2005), where she starred opposite Salman Khan . The film gave her the recognition she needed and marked the start of her successful journey in Bollywood. Katrina's popularity further raised with the romantic comedy 'Namastey London' (2007). From there, she steadily improved her acting skills and starred in major hits like 'Race'(2008), 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' (2009), 'Rajneeti' (2010), 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' (2011), 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012), 'Dhoom 3' (2013), and 'Bang Bang'! (2014). Her Most Successful Film Among all her films, 'Tiger Zinda Hai' (2017) remains her biggest hit, earning a whopping ₹558 crore worldwide. It stands as the highest-grossing film of her career so far. 'Ab aayi na line par': Farah Khan recalls brutal reactions to 'Tees Maar Khan' failure
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BITS Pilani to set up ‘AI+' campus, invest ₹1,219 cr on infra upgrade
BITS Pilani on Sunday announced an expansion of its academic and digital infrastructure , unveiling plans for a new AI+ campus in Amaravati, a ₹1,219 crore investment to upgrade facilities across its existing campuses and the formal launch of BITS Pilani Digital, the institute's dedicated online education platform . 'The latest initiatives reflect our continued commitment to reimagining higher education in both physical and digital realms,' chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla said announcing the initiatives during the 2025 convocation. 'These efforts are not just about scale but also about building a transformative ecosystem that empowers learners, nurtures innovation and fuels inclusive growth.' The AI+ campus, coming up on 35 acres in Amaravati, will be developed in two phases. The first phase will support 3,000 students, while the second will scale capacity to over 7,000. Programmes will include undergraduate twinning courses, cotutelle doctoral degrees with international institutions, and master's degrees in AI/ML, innovation and strategy. The campus will adopt a 'smart' design with integrated IoT systems, AI-driven services and modular, sustainable infrastructure. The ₹1,219 crore investment under Project Vistaar is aimed at enhancing research and learning infrastructure across BITS Pilani's campuses in Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. It includes ₹60 crore earmarked for upgrading undergraduate labs and will increase student intake from the current 18,700 to approximately 26,000 by 2030-31. The expansion will also support new interdisciplinary programmes aligned with emerging global trends. BITS Pilani Digital, also announced at the event, is designed to extend the institute's academic offerings to a wider audience through flexible, industry-focused online programmes. Over the next five years, the platform will offer 32 programmes—11 degree and 21 certificate courses—targeting more than 100,000 learners. Features include real-world project work, career support and optional campus immersions. 'Our focus at BITS Pilani has always been to stay ahead of the curve, whether in academic innovation, global research collaboration, or student experience,' said vice chancellor V Ramgopal Rao. 'With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our vision to create an institution that is responsive to the world's changing needs, deeply connected to industry and driven by a spirit of purpose and excellence.' Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
