Saudi Arabia moves to limit foreign workers' permits

Saudi Arabia will not renew work permits of expatriate workers living there for six years or more.

Saudi Arabia s labor minister has said that the kingdom will not renew work permits of expatriate workers who have been in the country for six years or more, a step aimed at boosting job opportunities for Saudis.The pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat on Monday quoted Labor Minister Adel Fekyeh as saying, “unemployment in the kingdom is 10.5 percent”.Unemployment is a main cause behind uprisings in the Arab world, which have largely bypassed Saudi Arabia.Fekyeh said 90 percent of the private sector labor force is foreign, and the country s 8 million foreign workers send home roughly $26.7 billion a year. It was not clear how many would be affected.Saudi Arabia s king has pledged over $80 billion to boost the quality of life for his citizens, including job creation and new housing.