Saudi labor market matures as focus shifts to job quality: Minister

Saudi Arabia has reached maturity in the labor market, where the focus has shifted from merely seeking employment to enhancing the quality of work life, said Ahmad AlRajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.

Speaking at the Riyadh Economic Forum, AlRajhi urged the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce to collaborate with his ministry on implementing five key recommendations outlined in a study titled "Enhancing Job Quality Practices to Boost Productivity in Saudi Organizations."

One of the recommendations called on business leaders to raise employee salaries, as survey results revealed that 62% of respondents believe current wages do not adequately reflect their efforts, he explained.

AlRajhi highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts with business leaders to study and execute the forum's recommendations, aiming to implement actionable steps within the next two years.

He also noted that the labor market strategy has recently been updated and submitted to the government. The revised plan, which runs through 2028, aspires to position Saudi Arabia among the top five global labor markets, building on the groundwork laid for labor market development.

According to Argaam data, the study on job quality practices examined topics such as improving workplace quality and its impact on organizational productivity. It aims to analyze the relationship between job quality and institutional performance, offering scientific insights to support national goals under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.

The study also proposed strategies to enhance work environments in the public and private sectors, alongside recommendations to promote sustainable development goals through improved workplace quality.