Dubai, Jun 21 (PTI) Saudi Arabia has given private companies and establishments in the country three months to comply with its new Saudization programme called 'Nitaqat' which aims to improve employment opportunities for Saudis.

Ministry of Labor spokesman Hattab Al-Anazi said companies would have until September 10 to ensure they are fully compliant and added labour offices would continue to provide all services to them as usual during this period.

Under the programme, private firms with high Saudization rates will come under the green category, while those who fail to achieve the required rates or refuse to employ Saudis will be included in the yellow and red categories respectively and could face punitive measures.

According to Al-Anazi, companies employing nine people or less would not have to adhere to the programme, but would be treated according to the directory of foreign manpower recruitment that will be published later on the Nitaqat website.