Saudi Arabia has imposed new quotas on companies in the kingdom to employ local staff, with cuts in permits for foreign workers if they fail to comply.

The labour ministry launched the latest stage of its “Nitaqat” (Ranges) programme aimed at prodding local firms to employ Saudis as the kingdom battles unemployment, the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, reported.

From September 10, the programme will determine whether companies – according to their sector of activity and size – are entitled to employ foreign workers depending on their performance in abiding by the quotas.-TradeArabia News Service