Activation Policies for the Poor in OIC Member States
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rewards Green and Platinum entities for the growth and sustainability of their payroll for Saudi
nationals.
Subsidies and benefits are potentially valuable to employers and employees alike, but currently
highly systematized and inflexible, which may impact on understanding and uptake without a
comprehensive communications program.
3.1.3 The way forward
The research carried out in Saudi Arabia identified many areas of best practice. Despite the high
income grouping, Saudi Arabia is investing in developing the public employment support available to
address future demographic and economic changes. To conclude our case study on Saudi Arabia, we
have developed country specific recommendations for the future development of activation
measures. They may also be considered by other OIC Member States which have similar labour
market and poverty situation.
National policy objectives and delivery
The number of work and job related initiatives that are currently available could be rationalised. The
government has made a significant investment in increasing employment support, training and
creating job opportunities. However, the number of programmes risks duplication and confusion as
to which programmes should benefit different individuals and employers should support and
participate. Better targeting could help ensure that individuals receive the support they need first
time and they do not waste resources or disengage as the support does not meet their needs and to
help employers participate and understand different programmes.
Individual programme design and performance
Regular and frequent evaluation of the investment in all the various labour programmes may be
conducted so that informed decisions can be made about what really works.
A number of new initiatives have been launched, many based on international best practice, but
there is very limited evidence on the long term impact of the investment that is being made. In this
regard, an evaluation programme could be commissioned that focuses on understanding the impact
of the employment support available.
Service delivery and minimum performance levels could be standardised.
The current contracting of employment support has specified a series of outcomes, but not specified
any minimum service levels required. As a result the quality of the service that individuals receive
can vary significantly. The contracting of employment support services could set minimum contract
levels and standards to assure the quality of support that individuals receive is consistent and
provides a minimum service of support and engagement.
The accessibility of services could be improved.
The significant investment in employment support programmes in recent years has targeted the
larger economic areas and not those that that have the most limited labour market opportunities. It
is individuals in these latter areas that are least likely to be able to participate in the labour market,
have the highest rates of unemployment and are not likely to benefit from the new support available.
The design of employment services could be targeted to include specific measures to tackle the most
disadvantaged communities with the same if not greater level of support available to people living in
the urban areas to ensure that all people benefit from the support available.