Minister AlRajhi: increased Saudi-ILO cooperation fosters decent work, social justice and inclusive development

© MHRSD

© MHRSD

ILO: What is the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD)’s vision for the Saudi labour market of the future?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: Our vision for the Saudi labour market of the future is vibrant, inclusive, resilient, and based on shared respect and mutual prosperity. We are creating a dynamic ecosystem where employers and employees thrive, providing opportunities for all segments of society, including women, young people, and people with disabilities.

As we continue to build a labour market that serves all who live and work in the Kingdom, we are acutely focused on eradicating abuse and exploitation in all its forms. Effective global collaboration is imperative to achieve this goal, and the Kingdom is aligned with key international labour standards, including through the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on the Protection of Wages No. 95 and the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention No. 29. Building on these commitments, the Kingdom has now introduced a National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labour – the first of its kind in Arab countries.

Through an ongoing programme of reforms and initiatives, we are building a more sustainable labour market that is highly competitive globally, underpinned by safety, fairness, and growing opportunities as we unlock new sectors in Saudi Arabia.

ILO: What was the main aim of the MHRSD in renewing the programme of cooperation with the ILO?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: Continuing our important work with the ILO further enhances our commitment to international labour standards, promoting decent work for all, and fostering sustainable development in line with Saudi Vision 2030. By renewing the programme of cooperation, we seek to strengthen our long-term partnership with the ILO by leveraging its vast expertise to address key global challenges and support the ongoing development of our labour market as we strive to compete with our regional peers and global leaders. This partnership now includes the development of cooperatives, which is part of a broader strategy to reduce unemployment and empower marginalized groups, supported by substantial growth in sectors like housing and healthcare.

ILO: How does the programme of cooperation align with Vision 2030?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: Vision 2030 underpins Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation into a diversified, globally leading economy and our programme of cooperation is critical to driving economic and social transformation. It contributes directly to our objectives of building a thriving economy, empowering our citizens, and enhancing the quality of life for all Saudis. Centered on enhancing employment policies, fostering social dialogue, advancing skills development, and ensuring occupational safety, the programme is pivotal to our strategic commitment to sustainable development and human capital investment as envisioned in Vision 2030.

ILO: What are your hopes for young Saudi women and men? What would you wish to achieve for them?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: My hope for young Saudi men and women is deeply connected to the youthful dynamism that characterizes our nation, with nearly two-thirds under the age of 35. This youthful energy is pivotal to Vision 2030's goals, which are already reshaping our economy and society. Particularly inspiring is the increased involvement of women in the workforce, which now comprises 37 per cent of the labour market. I wish for every young person to embrace the opportunities these transformative initiatives provide, leading to a robust, innovative, and inclusive future for Saudi Arabia.

© ILO, Violaine Martin

© ILO, Violaine Martin

ILO: What are some of the main achievements the programme has resulted in so far, in terms of the five priority areas identified jointly by MHRSD and the ILO?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: The joint initiatives between the Ministry and the ILO have led to significant achievements across five key areas:

1. Employment and Labour Market Policies: Implementing strategic reforms under the National Transformation Programme has increased job mobility and flexibility, enhancing the attractiveness of the Saudi labour market. These efforts have resulted in employing over 500,000 citizens in the private sector since 2019, boosting national workforce participation and reducing unemployment rates.
2. Social Dialogue: Enhanced dialogue mechanisms have improved relations between employers, workers, and government entities. These platforms have facilitated consensus-building on critical labour issues, ensuring that reforms are inclusive and representative of all stakeholder interests.
3. Application of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: Significant developments have been achieved in promoting labour rights, aligning Saudi labour practices more closely with international labour standards and fostering a fairer work environment.
4. Skills Governance for Better Employability of Young Saudis: Integration of the education system with labour market needs has been a priority, focusing on tailoring vocational education and training to the evolving demands of the economy. This alignment helps young Saudis acquire the necessary skills for effective participation in the labour market, enhancing overall employability.[5]
5. Occupational Safety and Health at Work: The introduction of robust safety standards and regulations has greatly improved workplace safety across various industries. These measures ensure the well-being and protection of workers, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.

These achievements represent critical steps towards realizing the goals of Vision 2030, aiming to create a dynamic and diversified economy supported by a skilled and engaged workforce.

ILO: In the Kingdom there are a large number of foreign workers in the private sector, how will the collaboration with the ILO benefit them?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: Our aim is to create an inclusive labour market for all workers and the different pillars of the programme with the ILO reflect this. Notable progress has already been made in improving the recruitment process and enhancing the mobility of foreign workers. Working with the ILO, we are further reinforcing labour inspections and occupational safety and health systems to ensure robust protections for all workers and provide channels for them to raise any concerns. Additionally, we are strengthening our skills framework through this partnership, focusing on improving skills recognition and workforce planning across various sectors. This initiative enables workers to fully leverage their existing expertise while creating new career advancement pathways through upskilling. We are committed to ongoing collaboration with global partners, including the ILO, with the objective of enhancing the governance of foreign employment in the Kingdom.

ILO: Moving forward, how do you see future cooperation with the ILO taking shape?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: Looking ahead, our partnership with the ILO remains instrumental, as we continue to promote decent work for all in the Saudi labour market. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with the ILO to ensure the effective implementation of the many labour reforms that we have undertaken and to tackle new challenges. We also look forward to increasingly collaborate with the ILO on a regional and global level to foster decent work, uphold social justice, and drive inclusive development.

ILO: How important is international collaboration on labour policy?

H.E. Minister AlRajhi: International collaboration on labour policy is essential in our globalized world. Partnering with organizations like the ILO allows us to tap into a wealth of global expertise, best practices, and resources to tackle complex labour challenges effectively. Such cooperation enhances policy alignment and innovation and drives mutual advancements by sharing transformative solutions to shared challenges. One such example is the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC) launched by the Kingdom in 2022 with the second edition taking place in Riyadh in January 2025. This global platform joins together a wide array of policymakers, private sector representatives, and international organisations with the aim of strengthening global collaboration on matters related to labour market regulation and planning. The ILO has been an important partner in this initiative since its inception, and His Excellency the ILO Director General Gilbert F. Houngbo has generously accepted our invitation to attend this next edition to highlight the importance of decent work and social justice in the global discussions around labour.