The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a G20 member State, is currently undergoing substantial transformation, guided by the National Transformation Programme 2020 (NTP), which will implement KSA Vision 2030 and aim to address the various labour market challenges in the country.  Challenges include, amongst others, a lack of competitive and fulfilling jobs in the private sector attractive to Saudi nationals which results in an overreliance on expatriate workers; as well as relatively high youth unemployment, inefficient job matching, and low levels of women’s participation in the labour force.

In response, the ILO is providing policy advice and capacity building to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and social partners to formulate and manage national development strategies as they pertain to the labour market.

Objectives

• Boost women’s employment and move towards a more inclusive labour market.
• Enhance social dialogue mechanisms for better policy formulation.
• Assess the child labour situation in KSA and act against it.

Outcomes

• Formulate a National Policy on Equality in Employment, and other inclusive policies, which are adopted by the Government of KSA and enhance the active participation of women in the labour market.
• Strengthen social dialogue institutions and mechanisms to positively contribute to the world of work, economic growth and overall welfare.
• Put in place a National Child Labour Policy with effective responses to prevent and eliminate child labour in KSA.