New policies from the Saudi-Arabian leaders may reduce the opportunities for foreign workers to find jobs in what is still regarded as one of the most closed nations for the gospel.
Most likely it is the unemployment rate of 13 percent that is now causing the Saudi government to make changes. The Economist write that Ahmad Kattan, Saudi´s deputy labor minister, hopes to reduce the unemployment to 10 percent in the coming four years. To do so he has barred foreigners from 12 sectors in the economy. Baking and optometry are two of them.
Death penalty
For many years Saudi-Arabia was on top of Open Doors´ World Watch List displaying the worst persecutors of Christians. Over the years the situation has improved a bit, and the Arabian kingdom is now ranked as number 12. The situation for followers of Jesus is still difficult.
Christian persecution is an ongoing and serious problem in Saudi Arabia. Christians are treated as second class citizens. Apostasy is punishable by death for those who refuse to recant. As the small number of Saudi Christians grows and they become bolder in sharing their faith, the pressure and persecution they face from family and authorities increases, states the World Watch List.
Cheap labor
Saudi-Arabia´s immigration has still made it possible for many followers of Jesus to make a living in the nation. Now it looks like these opportunities will shrink. Lack of jobs and taxes imposed on immigrant workers, cause many to leave. According to the Economist, officials expect 700,000 foreign workers to leave the country by 2020.
The new policy creates problems for many companies in Saudi-Arabia. Hiring Saudis is more expensive. In addition many of the locals are not as hard-working as the expatriates.
Many of the kingdom’s businesses rely on cheap labor. Rather than employ Saudis, who cost more and do less, around a third of firms may close, says Saudi´s deputy labor minister.
The government is passing on its political problems to the private sector, gripes a businessman the Economist has talked to.
By Steinar Opheim
There are still opportunities to work in Saudi Arabia. Most of the occupations being closed to foreigners are in lower-skilled areas, but there are still opportunities for highly skilled workers such as medical professionals, engineers, and educators. To get these highly skilled professionals, companies are willing to pay more to cover the increased fees.
Additionally, society is undergoing major upheaval and people are more open to considering alternatives than ever before.
If you are interested in working in Saudi Arabia, check online job boards for opportunities in your field. Take the opportunity to go while it’s still available.