The Qwa platform suspends the general manager position for expatriates and restricts it to Saudis
In a new regulatory step aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Saudi labor market, the "Qiwa" platform, affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has begun implementing technical procedures that prevent expatriate workers from being assigned the position of "General Manager," restricting this leadership role to Saudi citizens only. Establishments have also observed the suspension of the job title change service for several other vital positions, including, in addition to General Manager, Sales Representative, Marketing Specialist, and Purchasing Manager.
The platform explained via its online system that when establishments attempt to change an expatriate's profession to one of these titles, or to change it from its current position, a message appears stating that the process cannot be completed. Specifically, the profession "General Manager" has been removed from the available profession options for residents. However, specific alternatives have been provided to establishments to rectify the status of their expatriate senior staff, such as changing the profession to "Chief Executive Officer" or "Chairman of the Board," provided that the employee is registered in the commercial register with the same title and that there are no duplicates of the same job title within the same establishment.
The context of localization and Vision 2030
These accelerated steps are part of the broader framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 programs, which prioritize reducing unemployment rates among Saudis and empowering them to assume leadership positions in the private sector. For years, the Ministry of Human Resources has been working on a comprehensive Saudization strategy targeting specialized and high-level professions, rather than focusing solely on entry-level jobs, to ensure the availability of qualified Saudi nationals capable of managing key sectors of the local economy.
Decisions regarding the localization of marketing and sales
The recent measures implemented by the Qiwa platform complement the package of decisions recently approved by the Ministry to increase Saudization rates in vital sectors. A decision was issued to raise the Saudization rate to 60% in marketing and sales professions in the private sector, effective January 19, 2026. This decision applies to establishments with three or more employees in these specializations, with a minimum wage set at SAR 5,500.
These decisions target specific professions such as marketing manager, advertising agent, graphic designer, public relations specialist, sales manager, sales representative, and others. The grace period granted before implementation aims to allow private sector establishments to adjust their operations and attract qualified Saudi talent to fill these positions.
Expected economic impact
Restricting the position of "general manager" to Saudis and localizing the marketing and sales sectors are expected to bring about a radical change in the structure of the labor market. These measures not only aim to provide job opportunities but also seek to address market distortions and reduce the phenomenon of commercial concealment, where some expatriates occupy nominal leadership positions or positions that do not correspond to their actual work. This will also boost the domestic economic cycle by increasing the purchasing power of citizens working in well-paying jobs.
