RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has imposed a restriction on theexpatriates from working in 12 sectors from the next Hijri year.

Millions of expatriates including Pakistanis would suffer from the newrules.

According to Jeddah-based newspaper Saudi Gazette, Saudi Labour and SocialDevelopment Minister Ali Al-Ghafees on Monday issued a ministerial decisionin this regard in an attempt to ‘create more job opportunities for Saudicitizens’.

The 12 work areas banned for expats are: watch shops, optical stores,medical equipment stores, electrical and electronics shops, outlets sellingcar spare part, building material shops, outlets selling all types ofcarpets, automobile and mobike shops, shops selling home furniture andready-made office material, sale outlets of ready-made garments, childrenclothes and men’s supplies, household utensils shops and pastry shops.

Ministry spokesman Khaled Aba Al-Khail said the decision does not affectthe memorandums of understanding signed with various regional governoratesto restrict jobs to Saudis.

He said the shop feminization will continue as planned. The third phase ofthe feminization of women accessory shops began last October.