We have unemployed Saudis searching for the right job when the right job they are searching for does not fit them. Sadly this is a reality. Years pass and the young Saudis still carry around their degrees in green files since they are convinced that they are qualified. Most of them are dependent on their families. Most of them do not want the situation to change as long as they can eat, live for free and drive their cars — which were bought by their families who also give them a monthly allowance.
All that these young Saudis have to do is wait for the ideal job that fits their dreams and specifications. Those who sympathize with some of our unemployed Saudis and place the blame here and there should look carefully at what Minister of Labor Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said about unemployment among Saudis when he visited Al-Yaum newspaper.
He said that the ministry had coordinated with the private sector to employ Saudis at a monthly salary of SR4,000 after they were trained for a few months at King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals in order to gain skills in various fields. A large number of Saudis applied. But the number continued to decrease until it fell to 150 trainees.
The main reason why the program was unpopular is that they felt these jobs did not suit them because the jobs were below their standard. Since there is plenty of comfort at home, there is no need to rush into employment.
Our media, both print and broadcast, rush to interview young Saudis in service jobs working as electricians and mechanics. The media rush to publish the stories, thinking that they have uncovered hot news concerning brave Saudis who did the impossible because they accepted service jobs.
In the developed world there are young people who receive education, even postgraduate education, in the mornings and work at night in restaurants, hotels and other service jobs in order to make a living.
Some of our top businessmen and officials today come from less than exalted beginnings. For example, former Minister of Information Muhammad Abdu Yamani worked in a bakery making bread and did other odd jobs when he was young — in order to make half a riyal. Top businessman Sheikh Al-Rajhi, who now owns one of the biggest banks in our country, was once a money changer sitting on a sidewalk and worked as a cook before that.
Our fathers and grandfathers worked in cleaning, construction, farming and many other jobs that young Saudis these days deem unfit for them. Chances will not last forever and those who want to reach the top have to start from the bottom.
