Saudi Arabia, November 9: A week after barring expats from driving taxis in the country, Saudi Arabia has now announced that all jobs in gold and jewelry shops in the kingdom will be reserved only for its nationals from March 4, 2003.  The shop owners have also been strictly instructed to implement 50% "Saudisation" this year itself, Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif, who is also chairperson of the Manpower Council, was quoted as saying by Al-Madinah daily.  However, from the beginning of the next Hijrah year on March 4, 2003, all jobs in gold and jewelers shops will go to Saudis only, the report said.

The Saudi minister had earlier ordered that 30 per cent of jobs in the sector be Saudised in 2001, 50 per cent this year and 100 per cent by next year, but authorities concerned complained to him about noncompliance by shops in most areas.  In order to put an end to complaint that it is difficult to find qualified Saudis to handle precious metals and stones, a group of Saudi businessmen has decided to open an institute to train youth in all skilled jobs related to the manufacture and sale of gold and jewelry, Al-Watan daily reported.

There are about 13,500 jobs available for Saudis in the jewelry sector, according to some studies.  Non-Saudi workers, who earn SR450 million (Rs. 350 crore) annually from the industry, hold most of the jobs. The new institute will facilitate the smooth replacement of expatriate workers with Saudis in line with the government decision to Saudise the sector.  The kingdom's last week's decision to bar expiates from driving taxis was appealed by Limousine companies who asked for more time to implement "Arabisation" order.