The thousands who work in the private security sector might as well be considered unemployed even if they are in managerial positions. Personally, I think that those who are unemployed are better off; at least they are living in the hope of a good job. As for the security guards, they have been coping with their problems which have grown worse and worse.
Security guards who work in the private sector live far below the poverty line. In fact, from where they are, the poverty line cannot be spotted even if they use the latest telescopes.
Most of the guards, ladies and gentleman, receive in exchange for 12 hours of daily work a salary of SR1,200 per month. They are not given medical or social insurance or transportation and housing allowance. They are, in addition, not offered annual or weekly leave. The only item that some companies give these guards are stylish uniforms — certainly not for the guards’ sake but to please the demanding empty-headed employees and clients of the establishments.
These people have the same ambitions as all other young Saudis: a wife, an apartment, a car, a cell phone. They want to be able to go out on the weekend with their families, buy decent clothes and good food. Does anyone think they can do that on SR300 a week? Is there a more horrible exploitation than this? Is there any excuse for exploiting our young people who are forced to accept such employment because they lack other qualifications.
The Ministry of Labor has refused to set a minimum wage; it no doubt has its reasons for refusing to do so. What about the guards? How can they manage to lead decent lives? Is Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi prepared to explain to the guards why the ministry has such a policy?
The ball is now in the minister’s court as he is the person responsible for the situation and also the one who can change it.
