Saudi Arabia's Labour Ministry is preparing to launch a new programme to promote the hiring of nationals.

The plan is aimed at eradicating unemployment in the kingdom, Labour Minister Adel Fakieh told Arab News on Friday (March 4th).

New measures will not allow the private sector to employ non-Saudis if sufficient local labour is available, the minister said.

The government will no longer allow companies to "deny the rights of local people", Fakieh said, adding that more details would follow in the coming weeks.