WEC Starts Dialogue with Saudi Arabia on Labour Market Transformation

On June 12th, a delegation from the World Employment Confederation (WEC) met with Dr. Tariq Bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamad, Deputy Vice-Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), to discuss how the private employment services sector could support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving its growth and development agenda through transformation of its labour market.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing unprecedented growth and upcoming global events such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, the Expo 2030, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup signal further development. Such an ambitious agenda requires strategic talent solutions. With more than 65% of the population under the age of 35, Saudi Arabia possesses a dynamic and promising talent pool. However, addressing the current skills gap, particularly in specialised and technical fields, will require the integration of experienced expatriate professionals to complement and support the development of the domestic workforce.

“The private employment services industry plays a vital role in delivering agile workforce solutions in a streamlined, legally compliant, and ethical manner,” said Bettina Schaller, President of the World Employment Confederation. “Saudi Arabia has the opportunity to build an open, inclusive and sustainable labour market that will support the Kingdom’s ambitious vision, and we are ready to support.”

As the global voice of the private employment services sector, WEC shared a set of strategic recommendations with the Deputy Vice-Minister to ensure that future labour policies in the Kingdom enable the industry to contribute effectively. International experience demonstrates that labour markets which embrace diverse forms of work are more efficient and are key drivers of a country’s growth and competitiveness.

WEC advocates for the establishment of a labour market framework that enables well-regulated private employment services companies to operate in the Kingdom, delivering recruitment, outsourcing and on-the-job training solutions, including apprenticeships. This approach ensures the ethical, streamlined, and legally compliant mobilisation of local and global talent.

The World Employment Confederation represents the the global private employment services industry, bringing together national federations and leading workforce solutions companies from across the world. Those members abide by WEC’s Code of Conduct, which upholds principles that ethical, quality and professional private employment services should deploy in the provision of their services.

This Code of Conduct is informed by the International Labour Organisation’s Fundamental Rights and Principles at work, international labour standards, and guidance on Business and Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility. WEC therefore encouraged the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to align its labour code with international standards by engaging with global employment policy bodies and ratifying key instruments such as ILO Convention 181 on Private Employment Services. Such alignment will enhance Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness and reinforce its commitment to fair and transparent labour practices.

This meeting represents an important step in further enabling the private employment services sector to play a positive contribution to the development of the labour market in Saudi Arabia. WEC will continue its dialogue with the Kingdom’s representatives.