Too much dependence on expatriate domestic workers is an unwelcome side of many lives in the Kingdom. Yet no one is willing to cease this dependence. There is no dispute about the social risks involved in employing foreign drivers. They are present in large numbers at girls’ schools and at all offices which employ women. A driver’s actual work, which is to take a woman to and from her workplace or to take children to school and pick them up later, may only last half an hour or so. The remaining time is spent waiting in front of offices or schools. Or if he is not waiting, the driver may spend many idle hours in his unventilated and unhygienic private room.
Long hours with nothing to do allow his mind to become a breeding ground for criminal and perverted ideas. He might plot against his sponsor, as he is aware of the sponsor’s activities and habits. He can also plan burglaries since he knows when the sponsor will be away at his workplace or on vacation.
The diverse religions, cultures and nationalities of drivers may also lead to misunderstandings and fights — sometimes fatal as happened recently in front of a government office. If they are not allowed to remain near the offices and compelled to return to their employers’ houses, it may lead to other problems as there is nobody to monitor their activities at home.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that has this problem. The only solution I find is to put our cultural and economic interests over personal interests. The presence of foreign workers in huge numbers is causing an alarming drain on the national economy. It is also eating away our personal incomes. A major share of the family budget is given to domestic helpers, particularly to drivers.
An average family may spend SR70,000 in two years — or SR3,000 a month — for a driver and maintenance of the car. A driver has to be employed because the head of the family is often away from home. The family cannot save any money for future emergencies as the driver and car take half the income and the other half is spent for housekeeping.
It is high time we looked for a solution to this serious problem. Competent authorities such as the Shoura Council should make a thorough study of the issue. I think an efficient public transport system with support from private companies would go a long way toward solving the problem.
These companies could make use of the services of drivers who are idle for much of the day. Private companies with minibuses should undertake transportation for both female students and employees. Getting rid of a personal driver and depending on transportation companies might also curb women’s tendencies to go out frequently.
Thus we could solve some of the social, economic and security issues arising from foreign drivers. It might also reduce the number of accidents, the amount of pollution and many traffic bottlenecks.
While promoting cooperation among the people and loyalty to the nation, it will also end the chaos in the labor recruitment market and most importantly, it will defuse a time bomb within our homes and private lives.
