Saudi Arabia

February 2008 | Ratings Update

According to Minister of Labour Ghazi al-Gosaibin there was a 34% rise in the number of visas given to foreign workers last year, as Saudi Arabia approved 2.7mn visas in 2007 up from 1.3mn approved in 2006. Given the rising cost of living and controversy over working conditions, we continue to see foreign workers as a potential threat to political stability both in Saudi Arabia, and across the Middle East, as they currently account for over 25% of the Kingdom's population. That said, the Ministry of Labour said it was continuing its process of Saudisation - it employed 190,000 Saudis

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