Freelance Entertainment Work In Saudi To Be Activated And Regulated By GEA HRSD MoU

The General Entertainment Authority and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development have agreed new measures to organise freelance work in the entertainment sector, aiming to improve job stability, support Saudi freelancers, and align labour practices with the sector’s rapid expansion across events and seasonal activities.

The memorandum of understanding sets out a framework to regulate contractual ties between companies and independent workers. It is designed to widen the range of opportunities for national talent, raise professional standards, and improve the quality of services offered across entertainment projects and initiatives.

The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the third Global Labor Market Conference, held in Riyadh with broad local and international participation. The conference focuses on labour market development, and the agreement supports efforts to modernise regulations while keeping pace with changes in work patterns worldwide.

GEA was represented in the signing by Vice President for Human Capital and Administrative Affairs Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Humaid. Deputy Minister for Localization Hatem bin Saleh Al-Balawi signed on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, highlighting institutional cooperation between both organisations.

The memorandum forms part of a wider plan to deepen partnership and institutional integration between the two bodies. Through shared initiatives, the parties aim to build clear procedures for freelance work suited to entertainment activities, including festivals, seasons and diverse shows that demand flexible employment models and specialised skills.

The agreement targets empowerment of national freelance talent by clarifying rights and obligations between freelancers and employers. This should support more stable professional conditions, encourage long-term engagement with the sector, and help companies access a wider pool of specialised Saudi workers for specific events or projects.

Al-Humaid stated that the memorandum is an important step in supporting the freelance work ecosystem in the entertainment sector. Al-Humaid noted that it will help attract and empower national talent, expand employment opportunities, and enhance labour market efficiency in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.

The understanding reflects a shared commitment to develop innovative labour market policies and adopt modern work models. These models are expected to support economic and social development, increase the sector’s appeal to skilled talent, and encourage broader participation across entertainment-related fields within the Kingdom.

By setting clearer rules and cooperative mechanisms, the memorandum is expected to make freelance work arrangements more organised and predictable. This supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen human capital, increase citizen involvement in promising sectors, and ensure the entertainment sector grows on a sustainable, well-regulated basis.

With inputs from SPA