Saudi Press Roundup

The labor law

Human Resource Development is very important for the progress of any institution. Every employee should obtain the necessary qualifications to carry out his duties efficiently. The HR supports a business venture or government department by supplying them with well-trained and well-qualified staff.
But some government departments do not give any importance to HR development, especially those having direct contact with the public. They appoint workers on the basis of certain general conditions, without considering their efficiency and ability to deliver.
Most government departments apply the same conditions to fill vacancies irrespective of the different positions. A foreign worker, who could not settle his disputes with his sponsor amicably, approached the Labor Office recently. He had not signed any work contract with the employer.
The official at the Labor Office told the man that he would not look into the case because of the absence of a work contract between the two sides to prove that he had worked for the sponsor. The worker presented all documents to prove it but the official was not ready to accept them.
The Kingdom’s Labor Law has specifically mentioned that the worker has the right to prove his contract using all possible means. If there is no mention of the period in the contract, the period of his iqama would be considered as the period of contract. Article 8 of the law also nullifies all conditions that violate the law.
My question is whether the Labor official knows about this law and its articles. How can he sit in that position without knowing the law? If the official had studied the law he would not have given such a negative answer. So before appointing a person in a position we should make sure whether he is qualified to do that job.
— By Bakheet Alghabbash

Role of social media

The social media has been playing a big role in enhancing the knowledge base of Arab youth as they read information received from various sources without any restriction. They exchange views with others, thus entering into a kind of constructive dialogue. This will definitely lead to opening up our societies and encourage them to coexist with others.
Despite the positive aspects of this mode of communication between people, there are some wicked people who use this media to sow seeds of division and promote sectarian strife. I am happy to notice that many young men and women oppose this trend. While dealing with the social media, a person develops a kind of tolerance to respect others and learn to find solutions to settle disputes. The youthful age is the best period to accommodate new thoughts and ideas and establish bridges of contact with others. People should reject social pressure to create doubt about others and obstruct efforts to strengthen unity and solidarity.
We have to accept others and respect their rights.
— By Raja Albouali

Al-Qaeda-ISIL connection

The Interior Ministry recently uncovered a cell of the ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Levant) in Saudi Arabia, another offshoot of Al-Qaeda, which grew and spread from Afghanistan after 9/11, and then moved to the Arabian Sea and used the northern Yemeni mountains as one of its strongholds.
ISIL Saudi Arabia is a natural extension of ISIL Syria and Iraq as well as ISIL Libya and Egypt, same like Al-Qaeda which has bases in all these places as well as in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and west Africa.
Many terrorist organizations target Saudi Arabia to undermine its security and stability and its is the duty of its citizens and residents to help security agencies to eradicate these organizations.
— By Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Jarallah

Rationalize power consumption

The volume of electricity consumption in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries has reached the highest levels compared to per capita consumption in other countries. There are many reasons for this hike. Saudi authorities have launched a number of programs to reduce power consumption to reasonable levels, asking businesses to supply air conditions with specific standards, giving instructions to construct energy-efficient buildings and increasing tariff for those who consume more.
In a recent statement, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, who is chairman of the Saudi Program for Energy Efficiency, has called on the government departments to take steps to reduce power consumption. People in Saudi Arabia consume a substantial portion of its oil and if this trend continued it would not be able to export oil. The government should also enforce certain specifications while constructing new buildings to reduce electricity consumption. Naturally, economic consumption of electricity demands a number of measures. First of all, we have to enhance public awareness to reduce their use. At the same time we have to continue our efforts to find new resources of renewable energy, like solar energy, wind power and nuclear power. We should close devices like air conditioners and lights at government departments that work 24 hours.
— By Dr. Salah bin Fahd Al-Shalhoob

Tenure of chamber officials

The young Minister of Commerce and Industry, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, recently issued a decision that prevents a person from being elected or appointed to the board of chambers of commerce and industry for three consecutive terms.
He said the measure was taken as part of efforts to strengthen the role of chambers, ensure greater participation of members on chamber boards and develop their governing systems.
There were differences of opinion among officials of chambers about the minister’s decision and its timing. Supporters said it would help add new blood to chamber boards. Providing eight years of service to the chamber itself will make a person tired and that period is enough for him to give his maximum to the board in terms of thoughts and ideas. But opponents believe that it would deny the chamber officials who have gained experience and those who are ready to make voluntary services for the development of the community.
Restricting an official’s tenure to two terms is a system adopted by the American Constitution and many European countries. I don’t know whether anybody believes that running a chamber is more important than running a state. So, the minister’s decision deserves the support of everybody in the interest of the nation.
— By Dr. Mazin Abdul Razaq Balilah

Women and rights

Did women receive all their rights to demand the right to become a terrorist? Sometimes women turn our attention by engaging in activities that are often done by men, like piloting an aircraft and or taking the role of a judge. Women may fail in handling some unforeseen situations as they lack the power of men to confront challenges. Despite all these discrepancies there is nothing wrong if women seek to reach closer to men in rights and duties as long as they do it to serve the community better. But I cannot think of a woman opening fire against her child or father? Did terrorism also become one her rights?
I don’t want to generalize things. These are exceptional cases that would not reduce our love and admiration toward our women. In Islam, women have played a big role. They have fought battles against non-believers standing behind their men and displayed their dedication. These days women are exploited to become carriers of explosives and perpetrators of bombing operations. Women should oppose this move to protect their honor.
— By Dr. Mutlaq Saud Al-Motairy