A1SaudiArabia.com

JEDDAH – Adel Fakeih, the newly appointed Minister of Labor said Tuesday that government and private sector officials must remove obstacles in the implementation of Saudization plans.
In his first meeting with Dr. Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, Deputy Minister of Labor, and undersecretaries, Fakeih focused on several key issues related to employment of Saudi citizens, common problems in the labor market and plans to reduce unjustified foreign recruitment.
Fakeih, who was appointed to the position earlier this month after the death of Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, noted the achievement of establishing a fixed Saudization rate in the private sector and emphasized the importance of creating an appropriate atmosphere for investors and businessmen to employ Saudi graduates and job-seekers.
He called the leaders in the private and government sectors to cooperate and work hand-in-hand with his organization’s efforts to reach compromise solutions for employing Saudis.
He also said it was important to ensure that companies employ male and female job-seekers in positions that suit their qualifications and training in order to achieve the Labor Ministry’s quota.
Fakeih lauded Dr. Gosaibi’s efforts, his unique approach to the position and his strenuous efforts to develop the local market. – Okaz/SG

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Monday reiterated Saudi Arabias support for flood-hit Pakistan. “Well leave no stone unturned in supporting the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to confront the damages caused by floods,” he said.

King Abdullah made this comment while presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet at Al-Salam Palace. He briefed the ministers on the outcome of his talks with Jordans King Abdallah and highlighted the deep-rooted relations between the two countries.

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JEDDAH: Newly appointed Labor Minister Adel Fakieh, who stepped down this past week from his position as Jeddah mayor, told Arab News on Friday he would spend some time learning and meeting with experts to help him achieve the goals of his ministry.

“I will seek the help of the people with long
experience but will listen to everyone,” he said. “I will listen to
both the employers and the employees.”

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JEDDAH – New Labor Minister Adel Fakeih is seeking advice and sound opinions from everyone to help him work effectively in his new position and improve labor-related matters in the Kingdom.

Fakeih, who had been serving as Jeddahs mayor, spoke following his appointment Wednesday by King Abdullah to replace Ghazi Al-Gosaibi who died earlier this week.

Fakeih said his experience working with businesspeople, as the chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and then the mayor of Jeddah, would be valuable in his new position as he works to help employers and workers.

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JEDDAH: The Council of Ministers on Monday expressed its deep sorrow over the death of Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi and appreciated the sincere efforts made by the late minister in the service of the country.

Al-Gosaibi, 70, died at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh following a prolonged illness. He was buried Sunday evening after funeral prayers at Riyadhs Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque.

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JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has instituted a prize to honor outstanding inventors and talented persons in the country. The Council of Ministers has approved the prize, which is named after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

The prize, which will have a total value of SR1 million, was proposed by the King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology, and aims at promoting science and technology in the Kingdom and developing a spirit of innovation among its people.

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He was a creative icon, cultural ambassador and great administrator, all rolled into one

ALKHOBAR: Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, known for his poetic talents, died Sunday at 70, the Royal Court announced. He died at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh following a prolonged illness. He was buried Sunday evening after funeral prayers at Riyadhs Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque.

"Al-Gosaibi was a prominent government official who served the country sincerely with dedication. He had held several important positions and the last position was the minister of labor," the Royal Court said.

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JEDDAH/RIYADH – The scene recurs everyday. Laborers work hard under the hot sun and sweat profusely. Soaring summer temperatures exceed 50 degrees Centigrade.

The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has received numerous complaints from expatriate workers who have said their employers force them to work under extreme heat. Article 98 of the new Labor Law stipulates that employers cant force people to work for more than eight hours a day.

Ahmad Muhammad Abul Aynain, 45, said he is motivated by the need to provide for his family and accepts the challenges of doing so.

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JEDDAH – For the past ten days more than 70 Filipino workers have been living in makeshift tents on a plot of vacant land next to their consulate here demanding to be sent back home as soon as possible.

The Filipinos were working legally in the Kingdom, but over time they either did not renew their Iqamas or ran away from their sponsors, Vicente M. Cabe, Labor Attaché for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office at the Consulate General of the Philippines in Jeddah, told Saudi Gazette on Tuesday.

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A ceremony to mark “Migrant Workers Day” was held in the Consulate General of Philippine in Jeddah recently with more than 300 Filipinos representing various community organizations.

According to the Philippine Republic Act 8042, June 7 is always celebrated as “Migrant Workers Day”. It is a historical Act declared in 1995 when the government of Philippine recognized the migrant workers contribution in the development of the country and declared a law that put into place the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipinos and their families.

This year the Consulate celebrated the event on June 4 instead of June 7 for the convenience of the community.

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