No Ban on Expat Bike Delivery Jobs in Saudi Arabia
There have been many rumors on social media lately that Saudi Arabia will only hire Saudi citizens for bike deliveries after August 9 and will no longer hire foreigners for these jobs. Furthermore, there are rumors that the recently introduced drone delivery services could jeopardize bike delivery jobs. However, a thorough investigation reveals that no official government announcement or policy change supports these claims.
From Where Did These Rumors Originate?
The goal of Saudi Arabia’s Saudization (Nitaqat) program is to expand job opportunities for Saudi citizens across a range of industries. Over the years, Saudi nationals have been exclusive to certain jobs, particularly in the retail, hospitality, and service sectors.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and other government agencies have not, however, released an official statement endorsing a ban on foreigners riding bikes for delivery.
Some social media users conjectured that traditional bike deliveries might be replaced by drone delivery services, like those being tested by the Saudi Post (SPL) and other tech companies.
Despite being a new technology, drone delivery is still in its experimental stage and has not yet been widely adopted as a substitute for human delivery workers.
As of right now, there are no official changes to the delivery job policies:
There isn’t a law or government circular prohibiting foreigners from working as bike delivery drivers.
Companies like Jahez, HungerStation, and The Chefz continue to employ foreign delivery riders.
Currently, the Saudization policy does not fully prohibit foreigners from working as delivery drivers.
Why Are These Rumors Being Spread?
Misunderstanding of Trends in Saudization Given the Saudiization of other industries, some people might think that delivery jobs will follow.
Fear of Technology: Although the advent of drone deliveries has sparked conjecture that human delivery jobs may become less common, this is not yet the case.
Social Media Speculation: Without official confirmation, unverified claims frequently spread swiftly.
What Do Businesses and Delivery Riders Need to Do?
Check news from official sources, such as company announcements, the Saudi Press Agency, or the MHRSD.
Final Message:
Currently, Saudi Arabia does not prohibit foreigners from working as bike delivery drivers. Although Saudization is still developing, the government would formally announce any significant changes. Until then, businesses and delivery riders should trust accurate information instead of conjecture on social media.
