Changes in labor laws affecting industrialists in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Feb 2: The radical change in labor laws in the Kingdom has created many difficulties for industrialists, according to the head of the national industrial committee at the Saudi Council of Chambers.

Saad Al-Mejil told an Arabic language daily that labor laws had been in use for the past 30 to 40 years, but industrialists were surprised by the many new requirements of different government bodies.

Al-Mejil suggested that the best solution is for industrialists to cooperate with government bodies to find a solution to their problems.

“The ‘Together’ website, which was launched by the Ministry of Labor to allow businesses to share their opinions and recommendations regarding labor law issues, has received a number of suggestions. This has caused the Minister of Labor to delay some decisions so these suggestions can be reviewed and amended if necessary,” he said while adding that if labor laws are implemented in their current state they will contribute in the departure of expertise from the country resulting in the closure of many factories.

Al-Mejil noted that although the Kingdom is the world’s largest producer of cement due to the abundance of the required raw material in the country, it still imports cement from other countries due to shortages in subsidized fuel for factories. The current price of fuel for factories is $0.75.

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UAE announces new 10-year Blue Residency Visa. Details here

News Network

May 17,2024

The United Arab Emirates has announced a 10-year Blue residency visa for individuals who have made exceptional efforts and contributions to protecting the environment.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who chaired the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi formally approved this.

He said the move comes in line with implementing the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who had announced 2024 as the Year of Sustainability.

The Blue visa will be granted to individuals championing sustainability and the use of modern technologies in promoting the circular economy, and other relevant fields.

Sheikh Mohammed said the sustainability of our economy has become linked to the sustainability of our environment, and our national directions in this area are clear and consistent.

He also approved the National Youth Agenda, among several initiatives, instructing the Minister of Youth to prioritise five key areas: empowering youth economically, developing their scientific skills, reinforcing their national identity, enhancing their community contributions, and activating their role in representing their country on the international stage.

CEO of Artificial Intelligence

The Cabinet has approved the introduction of the post of CEO of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in all major federal entities, in line with the UAE's strategy to strengthen its position in AI.

“Today, we approved the introduction of the CEO of Artificial Intelligence role in all major federal entities, as part of the UAE’s strategy to solidify its position in the field of artificial intelligence,” the Vice President said.

The initiative aims to facilitate the integration of AI tools within these institutions, further advancing the transition toward a new era driven by cutting-edge technologies across federal entities.

University rankings

The Cabinet also endorsed a new framework for categorising higher education institutions across the nation. The forthcoming national rankings will assess over 70 higher education establishments based on the quality of their education, the employability of their graduates, the strength of their scientific research, and their collaborations with international scientific institutions.

The unveiling of these university rankings marks a significant stride in elevating the calibre of our higher education system and fostering transparency. It empowers families to make informed decisions, selecting the most suitable and exemplary educational pathways for their children,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“During the meeting, we were updated on recent advancements in our national space sector, with our national cadres now comprising 38 per cent of personnel engaged in global space projects. Additionally, expenditure on space research has seen a 14 per cent increase."

"Our commitment remains steadfast in guiding our youth towards promising and pioneering sectors while safeguarding our environment and adopting leading international technologies within our government. Concurrently, we are dedicated to enhancing our higher education systems, ensuring a brighter future for our youth,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

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