Fakeih: Labor laws to be based on mandate of people
RIYADH: MD RASOOLDEEN
Published — Wednesday 11 December 2013
Last update 13 December 2013 10:38 pm
The Ministry of Labor will soon launch a Web portal to receive comments from public and private businesses on labor laws and policies.
Labor Minister Adel Fakeih announced the launch of the ministry's "e-Gate" on the second day of the Riyadh Economic Forum on Tuesday. More than 800 delegates are taking part in the three-day event.
“We will not take any ministerial decisions without the mandate of the people. We will listen to their suggestions and then frame labor regulations,” the minister said.
Fakeih said he would answer any questions asked by members of the public through e-mail.
He would visit the Council of Saudi Chambers on Wednesday to explain the need for public and private sector cooperation. He said a minimum wage for the private and public sectors would be determined soon. A committee was working on this issue.
A panelist, Salem Al-Qahtani, said a high commission is needed to regulate labor laws in the Kingdom for the 9 million expat and Saudi workers.
He said greater efforts are needed to improve the work environment for Saudis who are generally choosy about work. He said expats are more willing to take up any jobs.
Management consultant Basma Bint Masla Ameer said many Saudi women are unemployed. Only 3.1 percent of the workforce are females, with expat women forming one percent. She said Saudi women opt to work in the public sector because they can work fewer hours and have time to look after their families.
She said local men and women need education and character development to prepare them for different work environments.
Labor Minister Adel Fakeih announced the launch of the ministry's "e-Gate" on the second day of the Riyadh Economic Forum on Tuesday. More than 800 delegates are taking part in the three-day event.
“We will not take any ministerial decisions without the mandate of the people. We will listen to their suggestions and then frame labor regulations,” the minister said.
Fakeih said he would answer any questions asked by members of the public through e-mail.
He would visit the Council of Saudi Chambers on Wednesday to explain the need for public and private sector cooperation. He said a minimum wage for the private and public sectors would be determined soon. A committee was working on this issue.
A panelist, Salem Al-Qahtani, said a high commission is needed to regulate labor laws in the Kingdom for the 9 million expat and Saudi workers.
He said greater efforts are needed to improve the work environment for Saudis who are generally choosy about work. He said expats are more willing to take up any jobs.
Management consultant Basma Bint Masla Ameer said many Saudi women are unemployed. Only 3.1 percent of the workforce are females, with expat women forming one percent. She said Saudi women opt to work in the public sector because they can work fewer hours and have time to look after their families.
She said local men and women need education and character development to prepare them for different work environments.
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