November 2013 was the deadline given by the Saudi Arabian government for foreign workers in violation of residency or work regulations to correct their status. At that time, a campaign was launched to search for any remaining workers in violation of regulations. During the "correction" period, more than 1 million foreign workers left or were deported, while more than 3 million changed their status.
During the same period — less than a year — more than 250,000 Saudi citizens gained employment in the private sector, while a little more than 700,000 citizens entered the private sector in the past three years. This last figure is close to the total number of Saudis working in the private sector four years ago, before the start of labor-market reform projects initiated by the Ministry of Labor. The end of the deadline, the campaign to search for violators and the continuation of legislation and laws enacted by the Ministry of Labor to reform the structure of the labor market, reduce the flow of cheap foreign workers and push more Saudi citizens to enter the private sector all indicate a radical change in the form of the Saudi economy. This change will not be limited to economic aspects alone, but will extend to affect social and political issues.