HRSD Minister says 80% of labor market strategy implemented

Ahmad AlRajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)

Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) Ahmad AlRajhi said the ministry launched many initiatives to support the labor market.

He added that 80% of the labor market strategy, which was launched in 2020, has been implemented so far.

In a statement received by Argaam on the sidelines of the Global Labor Market Conference (GLMC), AlRajhi said that the number of Saudis working in the private sector increased from 1.7 million to 2.4 million within four years, while women's participation increased from 20% before launching Saudi Vision 2030 to 36%, exceeding the specified target for 2030.

The minister announced the launch of two major initiatives during the conference, including the International Labor Market Academy in partnership with the World Bank, which aims to train policymakers to develop appropriate strategies for the labor market. Almost 50 policymakers will be trained this year, 200 next year, and 300 in 2027.

The initiatives include the future of work report, a strategic report that provides data and analyzes to support decision makers in addressing the challenges of the labor market, he added.

The GLMC is witnessing today a qualitative leap in participation, as the number of participants reached 5,000 from 100 countries, compared to 2,000 from 70 countries in the previous edition. This reflects the growing global interest in the challenges of the labor market, AlRajhi stated.

Moreover, he noted that the ministerial roundtable meeting focused on employing youth and reducing the unemployment rate, as well as highlighting three main areas of the conference this year, including the skills gap and the requirements of the labor market, the population change and its impact on the labor market. This is in addition to the green economy and the unemployment rate among youth.

This conference is not just an annual event, but a pivotal platform that contributes to the development of strategic solutions for the global labor market, AlRajhi said.

“We look forward to continuing this momentum,” the minister concluded.