Saudi Arabia will ban foreigners from 12 activities and occupations in order to provide more jobs to its citizens, a move that is likely to affect a large number of workers from India and other South Asian countries. The unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia crossed 12% last year following the impact of low oil prices. Saudi Arabia is home to 3.2 million Indians, the largest expatriate community in the kingdom, and a majority of them are blue collar workers. Rahman, who was on vacation when he learnt of the ban, said he was unsure whether he could return to Saudi Arabia. Saudi labour ministry spokesman Khaled Aba Al-Khail said regional governorates would also go ahead with their own moves to restrict some jobs to Saudi nationals.

Source: Hindustan Times February 06, 2018 13:55 UTC