One of them said he has been working for a private company since 1998 without receiving any increase to his salary despite his excellent performance, certificates of merit and letters of appreciation.

Another employee said he did not know his company’s policy regarding annual pay reviews. He doubted that nepotism played a part in salary raises.

Many of them expressed frustration and said the companies were sucking their blood in pursuit of huge profits and giving them nothing in return, except their monthly pay.

Despite my sympathy with these employees, I do not believe that writing about an individual case in the newspapers can solve the issue.

Many others have the same problem and are feeling frustrated. No single columnist can write about all cases of injustice to employees in various sectors.

It has become the norm even in government organizations, albeit with a small difference. Pay increases in the public sector are administered in fixed increments and the system distinguishes between those who work and those who do not.

Since an article or two in newspapers cannot resolve the issue, I suggest that employees start forming their own organizations to protect their rights.

They can also take their cases to the Shoura Council and talk to the relevant ministries about establishing these organizations, which will be financed by the subscriptions of members.

Only unions can provide employees with the tools to exert pressure on their companies to find solutions to their problems.

I am sure their rights have been usurped and that they are using all possible ways to achieve their dues.

I am also sure that this problem cannot be solved by publishing articles. This, after all, would be an individual and, at the same time, selfish solution. I say selfish because in this case the employee will be looking for a solution to his own problem and not one for the problem that many employees are suffering from.

The new generation of employees will also suffer from this problem if they fail to establish their own organizations to take up their cases with companies.

There should be separate organizations for workers, engineers, doctors and so forth to defend the rights of each category of employees.

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