MAKKAH: Public and private sector establishments in Makkah are offering plenty of seasonal jobs during the Haj period for both Saudis and expatriates, even for those who are not holders of official resident permits (iqamas).

The job opportunities have increased with the execution of a number of new development projects in Makkah and the holy sites, according to sources involved in Haj services.

They said plenty of seasonal jobs are open for Saudis and foreigners whether they are already employed or not. The jobs, which are in the pilgrims services sector, are usually available for a month.

Chairman of the Zamzam United Office Sulaiman Abu Ghelya said the office, which is in charge of distributing Zamzam water to pilgrims, every year offers plenty of jobs to young Saudis who will not only make some money but gain practical experience that will help them in the lives.

He revealed that this season the office offered about a thousand jobs for which a large number of people applied. “We selected the most qualified of them,” he said, adding that the Haj season provides vacancies even to uneducated people.

Abu Ghelya asked young Saudis to take advantage of the opportunity and take seasonal jobs not only to make money but also to serve pilgrims.

He said the Ministry of Haj and other government departments have offered a number of seasonal jobs for citizens and foreigners to serve pilgrims.

Director of the board of directors of the Tawafa Establishment for Non-Arab Africans Abdul Wahid Seifuddin said each of the six Tawafa establishments has about 3,000 seasonal jobs on offer. He said all these jobs were related to serving pilgrims in different fields.

Khaled Bashaddadh, a teacher who works in Jeddah and lives in Makkah, said he is very fond of taking on seasonal jobs not only to make extra money but also to gain rewards by serving pilgrims.

He said his seasonal job starts after midnight and continues until the early hours of the morning. “When I finish my work at about 5:30 a.m. I immediately proceed to my morning job in Jeddah,” he said.

Talking to Arab News, a number of Saudi youths said they waited for a year to get these seasonal jobs, which they were very fond of. Some of them said they use their private cars as taxis during Haj and make a big amount of money in a few days. Others said they sell tea and coffee.