To be frank, I am fed up with all this talk about Saudization, finding jobs, unemployment and all those things that only confuse our already sufficiently confused minds. Newspapers are full of complaints, ideas, suggestions and proposals all focusing on the issue.
Accusations fly thick and fast about foreigners dominating and controlling the job market and denying Saudis a chance to work. Other accusations target local businessmen saying that what is happening is with the connivance of private business owners who are not doing enough to help their fellow Saudis. Some people have even suggested punishing foreign workers — as if they had stolen the jobs or taken them by force!
Let us be frank and sincere with ourselves. We have to admit that somewhere, something is wrong and whatever this “something” is, it is preventing Saudis from finding employment. Based on my own personal experience, I believe the problem lies with the inability of Saudi job seekers to present themselves so that employers will feel confident about hiring them. Of course, there are exceptions to this, but the fact is that very few Saudis know how to look for a job or to present themselves advantageously.
If you check the credentials of many job seekers, you will be surprised to find that there are only two documents — one attesting to academic qualifications and the second a certificate of good conduct. The latter can of course be obtained by anyone, no matter what his or her conduct is. There is no concern whatsoever for any other requirements vital for someone about to venture into practical life. It is as if all one needs to get a job are these two pieces of paper.
On the other hand, a file from a foreign applicant will contain training as well as skill certificates, letters of recommendation and details of other jobs held and relevant experience.
I have often asked myself what is it that makes an Indian, Indonesian or Filipino travel thousands of miles to come to our country and teach us how to cook the very same traditional dishes that our ancestors mastered decades ago? The solution to this is simple — provide work for thousands of Saudi women. Allow them to prepare these dishes at home, or anywhere else, and arrange for catering companies to handle the marketing. Let us focus on such small productive projects which can make profits for all.
This would be more useful than having thousands of Saudis, males and females, sitting at home doing nothing.
- Arab News From the Local Press 29 May 2003
