JEDDAH, 24 September 2005 — The cleaning profession in the Kingdom is no longer the domain of foreigners, as Saudi women are now working as cleaners in hospitals in the Al-Ahsa province.

Hospitals and big companies in Al-Ahsa have reported that large numbers of Saudi women are applying for jobs as cleaners, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.

Al-Ahsa hospitals recently started to hire Saudi women to work as cleaners and to look after old and handicapped patients.

A businessman who owns one of the hospitals in Al-Ahsa said that he was surprised when a Saudi woman job-seeker accepted a cleaning job when told that it was the only position available. She said, “Why not? I’ll take it as long as it’s an honest job and pays money that will keep me independent and not in need of people’s sympathy.”

Rogayya Ibrahim, a cleaning worker in a hospital, said that she was pleased with her job. She said, “My family encouraged me to work in this field. We earn good salaries that range from SR1,300 to SR1,600 a month and only SR300 is taken off for transportation. I’m happy that I don’t face any harassments in this job.”

She added that no matter what the job is, as long as it is honest work it is OK. “Everyone should work to better their living conditions, especially people like me. I lost my father and I live in a big family that needs someone to support them,” she explained.

Khadija Salem, another cleaner, said, “Some people are astonished when they know that we are Saudis. When we ask them why they are astonished, they reply that they are used to seeing only foreigners doing this type of work.”

She added that their perception started to change when they explained to them that Saudis should work and participate in building this country.

“There are more than 10 workers in this hospital’s department. I am proud of this job. I only have a high school degree and didn’t have the chance to enter university so I prefer working in this field.”

Hind Ahmad said, “Working is an honor for us as even prophets worked as carpenters and shepherds. We shouldn’t be ashamed of these jobs. What we should be ashamed of is laziness and staying jobless without doing anything, or working in an illegal job that could corrupt the person or society.”

Hissa Khaled, a Saudi worker in a hospital, said that when she applied for a job she was informed that there was a vacancy with a salary of SR1,600 a month. “I accepted the offer and what encouraged me the most is that my family did not object,” said Hissa.

Now her job entails several tasks such as cleaning and arranging patients’ rooms in the hospital, as well as looking after them.