RIYADH, March 15: Saudi Arabia plans to restrict employment in commercial establishments, retail and wholesale shops, distribution companies and street vendors to Saudi nationals only.

At present, most of these positions are manned by expatriates from the subcontinent.

The proposed law targets employments in grocery stores, retail shops, wholesale outlets and distribution companies.

Restaurants, vegetable shops, bakeries, catering facilities, gas stations, pharmacies and recreational centres are exempted from it.

With unemployment running high among the Saudis, nine per cent according to Saudi government figures and considerably higher according to private analysts, Riyadh has been trying to create employment opportunities for its unemployed youth to handle the situation.

The Saudi consultative council (Shoura) has approved the new draft and sent it to the cabinet for endorsement.