A decision by the Minister of Labor and Social Development, Dr. Ali Al- Ghafees, has been issued on Monday to stop non-Saudis from working in over 12 kinds of retail occupations. According to Saudi Gazette, this new decision will come into effect from the beginning of the next Hijri year. 

The decision comes so that locals are given more job opportunities and prioritised, as well as the feminization that is taking place in the Kingdom. 

What are the 12 jobs non-Saudis can’t work in anymore?

1. Watch shops

2. Optical stores 

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3. Outlets that sell different kinds of carpets 

4. Sale outlets of ready-made materials and garments 

5. Furniture shops for home and office material 

6. Car Spare Part shops 

7. Building material shops

8. Automobile shops 

9. Shops that sell children’s clothes 

10. Shops that sell men’s supplies

11. Household utensil shops 

12. Pastry shops 

Feminization will also keep continuing 

Khaled aba Al- Khail, spokesman of the Ministry, told SG that this initiative will not affect the ‘memorandums of understanding signed with various regional governorates’ to limit the jobs to Saudis only. As for the feminization wave that is taking place, the plan is within its third phase as women’s accesory shops began in October.