The desert kingdom is home to almost ten million international residents. The majority of them work as workers and are from Southeast Asia. There are also an estimated 125,000 Western expats employed in Saudi Arabia.
These figures are unlikely to go down anytime soon, even though the government is working hard to increase employment opportunities for its own citizens by funding education and enacting regulations limiting the proportion of foreign workers employed by Saudi companies. Employers who hire an excessive number of foreign workers while under-hiring Saudi workers have been subject to heavy fines since November 2012.
In addition, the government recently unveiled a brand-new “Saudization” initiative that will help Saudis from a young age and get them ready for the workforce. If Saudi citizens have the necessary training, it is hoped that the demand for foreign workers will disappear. This post examines which occupations in Saudi Arabia are worthwhile, along with some advice on how to blend in.
Global Class Economy
It is hardly surprising that the kingdom has an oil-based economy given that it holds about 18% of the proven oil reserves in the world. More specifically, 73% of government revenue, 50% of GDP, and oil accounts for 85% of export revenue. This helps to explain why Saudi Arabia is one of the few affluent nations with a robust industrial base.
Recent efforts to diversify the economy and lessen reliance on oil exports have resulted in a significant boom in Saudi Arabia’s service industry. With the service sector accounting for roughly 51.8% of GDP in 2015, the tertiary sector is one of the main revenue generators for the country’s economy. Agriculture is unlikely to be very important given the temperature and topography, but the government is trying to reduce the population’s reliance on food imports.
The diversification initiative has also substantially helped the manufacturing sector. Apart from the nearby petrochemical sector, emphasis is placed on energy, telecommunications, and natural gas exploration. Additionally, the government is spending about US$70 billion to establish six economic cities. It is believed that establishing a kind of “industry caucus” will inspire businesses, increasing output and innovation. Use employment boards such as Layboard to begin your job hunt in Saudi Arabia.
Popular Employment
There are plenty of career prospects in Saudi Arabia if you can give a high level of education and experience, despite the fact that it is not the simplest country in which to get employment. Many foreign nationals work in banking and financial services, IT, healthcare and medicine, engineering (particularly in the oil industry), teaching (particularly for female teachers), telecommunications, or construction. It is worthwhile to search for employment openings in this area, specifically welder job in Saudi Arabia.
Expats with experience in such roles may also stand a good chance, since Saudi Arabia is also increasing its investment in water management, food processing, transportation infrastructure, and urban planning.
Most foreign employees in Saudi Arabia are under contract in their former city of residence. It is quite uncommon, if not unheard of, for foreign nationals to arrive in a city like Riyadh or Jeddah without being offered a job. The situation has been further compounded by the Saudi government’s recent campaign for “Saudization.”
In key cities across the globe, Saudi employers’ agents or private consultants handle most of the senior position recruitment. A sizable portion of international transfers are also made by multinational firms’ internal transfers. For individuals who are interested in working in Saudi Arabia, getting in touch with the chamber of commerce is a wise first step.
Sponsors and Permits for Work
Unless you have a definite job offer, It is not possible for you to obtain a work permit. In actuality, a person’s sponsor must apply for the visa on their behalf; they are unable to apply for a permit on their own. Every foreign worker in Saudi Arabia has a sponsor, who is typically their employer and who serves as both their guardian and guarantor.
The sponsor could be a person, an organization, a corporation, a business partner, or an association like your Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce. Some people might anticipate getting paid for their services.
Your first point of contact in the kingdom will probably be your sponsor, who can help you with a variety of issues, from securing a visa to arranging lodging. However, they are also in charge of you, so they have a vested interest in your welfare as well as your good behavior.
Women in Work
If an expat spouse wants to work in Saudi Arabia, they must have their own work visa. Wives from other countries who travel to Saudi Arabia with their husbands face challenges. Nonetheless, foreign-born women can find temporary employment in fields like real estate, education, or healthcare (provided they meet the necessary requirements). You can get help finding employment and obtaining your work permit from a local employment agency. Please be aware that official guardian approval is always required in order for you to work.
You can apply to work as an English teacher in a private school or language school if you are a native English speaker and meet the requirements. You can also teach private English courses, which are in great demand, once you have a work visa.
Big Bonus, Big Salary: The Advantages of Working Abroad
There are substantial financial perks associated with working in Saudi Arabia. Not only may the pay be greater than it would be for the same work in Europe or the US, but the absence of personal income tax also significantly increases your net income.
There won’t be many deductions from your monthly pay because there isn’t even a social security system (at least not for foreign workers). You should, however, Take advantage of your large salary because, while employed in Saudi Arabia, you will also need to pay into a personal or business pension plan in addition to obtaining private health insurance.
An additional benefit that awaits foreign workers upon contract signing is the end-of-contract bonus, to which they often qualify after two or more years of employment with the same company. This payment may come to a substantial sum. Nonetheless, Arab businesses are beginning to provide long-term contracts in place of employing foreign workers for truncated positions of one or two years.
How to Maintain Family Values in Business Culture
Non-Muslim foreign workers in Saudi Arabia need to understand that religion is a basic value in all facets of life. Even in business meetings, Allah and his Prophet are ever-present. The domains of religion and other spheres of life are not inherently divided. Religious observance is required, particularly when major economic talks are underway. The deal will be completed if that is Allah’s will. It was just not meant to be, if it fails to function.
Another characteristic of doing business in Saudi Arabia that Westerners often fail to appreciate is the importance of family ties. Nepotism is not a sign of corruption, but of a healthy business structure.
The fact that many firms are based on family units and that senior family members frequently hold management roles makes this approach easier to implement. It is therefore impossible to overestimate the significance of keeping a large network of contacts and contacts. Talking to someone’s favorite nephew can never be told! Similarly, entertainment plays a significant role in business culture in Saudi Arabia. The relationships you have with your company partners are something you should devote time to.
Keep an eye for more latest news & updates on The Updates News!
