JEDDAH, 15 December 2004 — In its attempts to provide jobs for its citizens, the Kingdom has been aggressively encouraging its businesses to provide, and even create, jobs for Saudis. Although most companies are looking for Saudis, the Saudis seem to be hiding. To a large extent, the men in this country are choosy and finicky. They have many opportunities open to them yet they appear to be dissatisfied with their options.
Arab News visited both the fish market and the vegetable market to see how many Saudis were working there. Although the vast majority of people at the fruit market are not Saudis, a Saudi presence is obvious and Saudis make up a considerable minority there.
On the other hand, when Arab News visited the fish market, we found that there were hardly any Saudis working there at all. After inquiring at what was primarily a Bangladeshi workplace, we were directed to the waterfront where we found a single Saudi supervisor, nowhere near the people he was supposed to be supervising.
“Sometimes Saudis come to work here but they don’t stay for very long,” he observed. He explained that the work required at the fish market is generally rejected by most Saudi men who see it as low-paying and menial.
“Many Saudis don’t like doing certain jobs and that is why many don’t work,” said Khaled, a Saudi working at the fruit market. “If the pay isn’t what they want, they don’t work.”
This attitude seems to be nationwide with its roots firmly in the Saudi male ego. On the opposite side, Saudi women are eager to make their mark in the workplace. They are leading the way and setting a fine example. With their positive attitudes and good work ethics, the Kingdom’s women are on the move, proving their value in the workplace as well as making a point of it through superior professional performance.
