Latest news with #SaudiOkaz
Gulf Insider
10-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Bans Personal Freedom Questions In Job Interviews: New Labour Regulations
Saudi Arabia has introduced new regulations banning questions related to personal freedoms during job interviews, as approved by the Ministry of Human Resources. Interviewers are also prohibited from inquiring about an applicant's previous workplace confidentialities, according to the Saudi Okaz newspaper. These regulations ensure that job announcements and interviews are free from any form of discrimination, including gender, disability, age, and marital status. Employers must also notify job applicants of interview details — whether in-person or remote — at least three working days in advance. The interview location must be appropriate for the number of applicants, with visible entrances and exits, adequate seating, and compliance with health and safety regulations. Security measures, including electronic systems or security guards, and gender-specific restrooms, must also be in place. The Ministry also requires that job vacancy announcements align with the Saudi Unified Occupational Classification and be posted on official digital platforms or licensed employment fairs. These announcements must include the company name, activity, office location, job description, required qualifications, work hours, benefits, and application procedures. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made significant efforts to regulate its labor market and enhance its appeal, especially in light of its large expatriate community.
Gulf Insider
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
US Court Orders Release Of Saudi Citizen After 20 Years In Prison
A US court has ordered the release of Saudi citizen Hamidan Al Turki after nearly 20 years spent in a Colorado prison, following a three-day deliberation to overturn his conviction, according to the Saudi Okaz newspaper. Al Turki was handed over to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities to facilitate the final steps of his repatriation to Saudi Arabia. Al Turki, who had moved to the US for PhD studies, was arrested in November 2004 on charges of mistreating his maid and violating immigration laws. Initially released on bail, he was re-arrested in June 2005, alongside his wife, Sarah Al Khunaizan, on the same charges. The couple's five children were left behind. On August 31, 2006, Al Turki was sentenced to 28 years in prison. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, asserting that the charges were fabricated. In February 2011, his sentence was reduced from 28 years to eight years due to good behaviour and a positive influence on fellow inmates, as attested by the prison warden. Al Turki's case has garnered widespread public and official support in Saudi Arabia, with many advocating for his release.
