Business

Saudi Arabia to mandate e-salary system for domestic workers

Saudi Arabia will begin enforcing a mandatory system for paying the salaries of all domestic workers through official electronic channels starting January 1, 2026, a move aimed at strengthening wage protection and increasing transparency in employment relationships.

The decision, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, requires employers to transfer salaries via approved platforms rather than in cash.

The measure aims to safeguard the financial rights of domestic workers and ensuring clearer, more accountable contractual arrangements between employers and employees.

Under the system, salary payments will be processed electronically through the Musaned platform, using recognised channels such as participating banks and digital wallets.

The ministry said this approach would enhance the reliability of wage payments, reduce disputes, and streamline administrative procedures, while also contributing to the professionalisation and development of the domestic worker sector.

For domestic workers, the electronic transfer system provides documented proof of salary payments, simplifies procedures related to contract termination or travel, and ensures that wages are paid regularly and securely.

Workers will also be able to transfer their earnings to family members abroad through the same official channels. Where cash withdrawals are preferred, salaries can be accessed via approved outlets using a Mada card issued to the worker.

The policy, according to Okaz newspaper, has been rolled out in phases since mid-2024. The first phase, launched on July 1, 2024, applied to domestic workers arriving in Saudi Arabia for the first time, with the aim of reducing cash transactions and improving the reliability of payments.

A second phase, introduced in January 2025, extended the requirement to employers with four or more domestic workers, followed by a third phase in July 2025 covering those with three or more. A fourth phase, which came into effect on October 1, targeted employers with at least two domestic workers.

From January 2026, the system will apply universally, covering all domestic workers regardless of the number employed by a household.

According to guidelines issued through Musaned, salaries must be paid at the end of each Hijri month in line with the amount stipulated in the employment contract, unless both parties agree otherwise in writing and in accordance with wage protection regulations.

For workers outside the Wage Protection System’s scope, salaries may still be paid in cash or by cheque with written documentation, unless the worker requests an electronic transfer.

Story by Gulf News

Business

Saudi raises Saudisation in engineering, procurement

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced two new decisions aimed at increasing Saudi participation in specialised jobs and creating better employment opportunities for citizens.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the first decision raises Saudisation in engineering roles to 30 per cent and sets a new minimum salary of SR8,000 for Saudi engineers working in the private and non-profit sectors. The rule is effective from December 31, 2025, and will apply to companies with five or more employees across 46 engineering roles. These include positions such as architect, industrial engineer, and power generation engineer. Professionals must be accredited by the Saudi Council of Engineers. Companies will be given six months to prepare before the decision is enforced.

The second decision increases Saudisation in procurement professions to 70 per cent within the private sector. This has been effective from November 30, 2025, and will apply to businesses employing three or more workers in 12 procurement-related roles, including procurement manager, contracts manager, and warehouse keeper. A six-month grace period will also be provided.

The ministry said the measures are designed to improve the work environment, expand job opportunities for Saudis, and strengthen national participation in key sectors. A detailed guide outlining requirements and compliance steps is available on the ministry’s website.

Story by Gulf News

Business

Saudi-Tunisian business forum spotlights growing joint investments

The Saudi-Tunisian Business Forum concluded in the capital, Riyadh. The forum was organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment and the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and was attended by Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef and Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Samir Abdelhafidh.
The forum brought together more than 300 participants from the public and private sectors to discuss deepening economic partnership and translating shared visions into tangible, value-added projects.
Discussions focused on ways to enhance economic integration and joint investments across key sectors, including industry, agriculture, energy, sustainability, and supply chains, with an emphasis on stimulating the investment environment and expanding private-sector partnerships in both countries.
The Saudi side highlighted the competitive advantages of the Kingdom’s investment ecosystem and the enablers available to facilitate the investor journey, while showcasing high-potential opportunities in promising sectors aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
Participants also discussed renewable energy projects and electrical interconnection, underscoring their importance in strengthening energy security and regional integration, and in creating high-quality investment opportunities in this vital sector.
The forum witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA), aimed at institutionalizing cooperation and facilitating the exchange of investment opportunities, ensuring that the forum’s outcomes are translated into measurable projects in priority sectors.
— SPA

Business

SP Jain and IWBD Launch Global Board Readiness Program to Empower Leaders

Dubai, UAE – SP Jain School of Global Management the top ranked Australian Business School has partnered with the International Women Board of Directors (IWBD) to launch the Global Board Readiness Program, a comprehensive 30-hour executive development initiative designed to prepare mid- to senior-level professionals for C-suite and board positions.

The five-week program addresses the persistent gender gap in corporate boardrooms by equipping women leaders with essential governance expertise, strategic decision-making capabilities, and crucial networking opportunities with executive headhunters.

“This program bridges the critical gap between executive experience and board readiness,” said Ebru Tuygun, IWBD Chairwoman and CEO of GVGL Global Marketing Management. “We’re not just teaching governance—we’re creating pathways to actual board placements through our partnerships with firms like Wilton and Bain.”

Comprehensive Curriculum Led by Industry Titans

The program features an impressive roster of regional business leaders and subject matter experts. Participants will learn from Amel Chadli, President of Schneider Electric’s Gulf Cluster and one of Forbes Middle East’s 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2025, who will lead sessions on negotiation and influence. Banu Karakullukcu, CEO of Gulf Coca-Cola Beverages, will share insights on solving complex problems and making bold boardroom decisions.

Other faculty members include Faranak Farahmand Pour, Global Strategic Director at Google, covering artificial intelligence applications for boardrooms; George Abraham, HR Director MENA at Deloitte, discussing talent attraction strategies; and Raya Abu Gulal, CEO of RAG Legal, addressing legal rights and responsibilities of board members.

Academic expertise comes from SP Jain faculty including Dr. Christopher Abraham, Professor and CEO (S P Jain Dubai), who will tackle leadership and crisis management, and Dr. Vincent Hooper, Professor of Finance, providing essential financial acumen training for board members.

Strategic Focus on Diversity and Placement

The program’s distinctive feature lies in its practical approach to board placement. Unlike traditional executive education, participants receive direct exposure to executive search professionals who actively recruit for board positions across global markets.

Sami Zouehid, Managing Partner for Wilton & Bain in the Middle East, will conduct specialized sessions on crafting compelling board CVs and mastering interview techniques. With over 16 years of executive placement experience in the region, Zouehid brings insider knowledge of what boardrooms seek in new directors.

The IWBD, an initiative of On Board Women, has established itself as a crucial platform for advancing female representation at the highest levels of corporate governance. Through rigorous training and thought leadership initiatives, the organization champions inclusive networks that exchange skills, expertise, and best practices.

Global Perspective with Regional Relevance

Leveraging SP Jain’s international presence across Dubai, London, Singapore, Sydney, and Mumbai, the program offers participants exposure to diverse markets and governance practices. This global perspective proves essential as boardrooms increasingly require directors who understand cross-border complexities and cultural nuances.

The curriculum spans critical areas including corporate governance essentials, financial acumen, personal branding, leadership in crisis management, and AI applications in boardroom decision-making. A bonus networking panel session featuring inspirational CEO stories provides participants with real-world perspectives on navigating boardroom dynamics.

Program Details

The program is priced at USD 10,900 per person, with group and bulk discounts available. It targets professionals in mid- to senior-level positions seeking general management roles, C-suite positions, or opportunities to leverage their technical, financial, legal, or medical expertise at the board level.

Dr.Christopher Abraham CEO at SP Jain’s Dubai campus emphasized the program’s relevance: “Companies increasingly recognize that diverse boards make better decisions. This program ensures qualified leaders are prepared to contribute meaningfully from day one.”

For more information about the Global Board Readiness Program, interested professionals can contact Saud Ahmed Khan at +971 55 329 0274 or saud.ahmed@spjain.org. Additional details are available at https://executive-education.spjain.ae/open-programs/global-board-readiness-program

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