We should not expect others to come to us offering solutions for our problems. We created these problems and thus the responsibility for solving them lies for the most part with us. To be able to address and seek solutions to our problems in a serious and constructive manner, we need first to undergo a soul-searching process which puts national interests above all other considerations. We have to develop a spirit that appreciates and values work because that is the spirit which drives people to work hard, respect time and appreciate the value of money.
I read a recent statement by the deputy minister of education for girls’ affairs directing his department to set up special service units attached to various government departments. These units will help expedite any business his department’s employees have with other departments. This is an important step that could have positive effects on the morale of employees and could help save time, energy and money from being wasted by employees going from one government department to another.
Take Saudi Aramco as an example. This giant company should long ago have realized the importance of saving its employees’ time and energy instead of allowing them to leave work to attend to some private business. Aramco has a staff of 52,000 workers. If just two percent of that number leave their offices every day to go out and spend from two to three hours in a government department, this translates into 3,120 lost hours. Assuming that the worker earns SR50 per hour, Aramco stands to lose SR156,000 every day. Add to this the inconvenience and time loss incurred by people who have business to conduct with the absent employee, not to mention the traffic jams caused by people going from one government department to another when they should all have been at work.
Large public corporations should begin by taking steps similar to those adopted by the Ministry of Education to stop their employers from being absent during working hours. Assigning others to do this kind of work would also help in the fight against unemployment by providing jobs for many Saudis.
— Arab News Local Press 25 December 2003
