Condition for appointing an expatriate to the position of General Manager via the Saudi Forces platform
The Qiwa platform, affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia, clarified the details regarding the possibility of non-Saudis holding the position of "General Manager" in private sector establishments. This clarification resolves the recent controversy surrounding the suspension of job title changes for expatriates, as the platform confirmed that such changes remain possible but are subject to strict regulations and a single, specific condition.
Essential requirement: Conformity with the commercial register
The platform clarified that the electronic system only allows changing a resident's profession to "General Manager" in one specific case: if the individual's name is clearly listed in the establishment's commercial register with the same job title. This procedure aims to ensure that the data registered with the Ministry of Commerce matches that in employment contracts and human resources platforms, thus preventing the arbitrary allocation of senior leadership titles without legal justification proving the individual's actual eligibility for the position.
The context of digital regulation of the labor market
This measure is part of a broader strategy led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through the "Qiwa" platform to digitize the Saudi labor market and enhance transparency. The platform serves as a unified interface for all employment services, facilitating contractual procedures for both employers and employees. Verifying leadership job titles is also part of the Ministry's efforts to regulate the market and ensure that job titles accurately reflect the actual responsibilities within organizations.
The importance of the decision and combating commercial concealment
This regulation carries significant economic and legal implications, as it directly contributes to the Kingdom's efforts to combat commercial concealment. Requiring the inclusion of the general manager's name in the commercial register closes the door on practices whereby expatriates might be granted nominal titles to manage businesses without clear legal cover. Furthermore, this electronic linkage between various government entities (the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Human Resources) enhances the accuracy of national data, thus supporting decision-makers in formulating economic policies based on verifiable figures.
The reality of localizing the general manager profession
In a related context, the platform denied rumors that the position of "general manager" is currently restricted to Saudis only, emphasizing that there is no official decision to fully Saudize this role. However, the general trend in the Kingdom is steadily moving towards empowering national talent in leadership positions within the private sector. This is being achieved through the Nitaqat program and various sectoral decisions aimed at increasing Saudization rates in senior and middle management positions, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to reduce unemployment and increase citizen participation in the national economy.
