DAMMAM, 5 July — A new dimension has been added to the process of Saudization. In the past, Saudis sought, and were considered for, only managerial and supervisory positions. A review of the labor market situation reveals that Saudis are willing to take up any job and do not get any preferential treatment at the work place. Economists and market specialists say that the Saudization process has come down to grass-root level, unlike in the past when it was apparent only at the top level.
Abdullah Al-Qahtani, formerly in charge of the industrial and labor section at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that this trend will eventually bring about a sea change in the labor market in the next few years.
An official at the Labor Department in the Eastern Province agreed. He said young Saudis were now prepared to take up any job that can generate income enough to sustain themselves. “There is a re-awakening among the young Saudis who are now ready to face the reality that everyone cannot become a manager or supervisor,” he said.
A few months ago one was used to seeing a Bangladeshi or an Indian carrying purchases at vegetable markets to a customer’s car. The scene has now changed. It is now not surprising to see young Saudis carrying cartons of potatoes and sacks of onions to a car, irrespective of the customer’s nationality. No doubt, this change is a direct result of the government’s decision to make vegetable trade 100 percent Saudized. The cost of such a move has been immense, since the trade has taken a nosedive primarily due to the inexperience of Saudis who now manage their vegetable stalls, both wholesale and retail.
Murtaza of Qatif, a student at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, works at the Dammmam vegetable market as a part-timer.
The other day Murtaza insisted on carrying the purchases of his customer, an Indian, to his vehicle. The Indian was visibly shaken but Murtaza disarmed him with his politeness and jovial mood. He is neither ashamed nor embarrassed at carrying loads of vegetable cartons for an expatriate. “To me the customer is important and not his nationality. Whether he is a Saudi or an Asian is irrelevant,” he said.
Ahmad Al-Marzouq, who took retirement from the navy, is now driving taxi in Dammam and Alkhobar. “I am happy with the job.” He gets a monthly salary of SR1,500 and in addition a commission.
“In a month I easily make SR3,000. This includes some generous tips given by passengers,” he said.
Ali Al-Qarni has been a heavy vehicle driver for five years. He said when he took up this job he found his expatriate colleagues hostile toward him. “None of them were cooperative. Somehow they felt threatened. But I was patient and now I am very much part of them. They have accepted me and I am proud to be one among such professionals.”
Saudi telephone operators, secretaries, counter salesmen and clerks have now become a common sight. Initially it started as a compulsory measure, as the Labor Department insisted that the companies and establishments should have a set percentage of Saudi staff. Now, however, it is happening naturally.
“I hired a Saudi driver not out of compulsion but because of his merit,” said Abdul Aziz Al-Qahtani, a leading businessman in the Eastern Province.
It was the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) which adopted the Saudization policy in a more scientific manner setting a precedent. Today in the company one will find Saudis both in the most senior positions and the lowliest.
This year when aspirants for summer jobs thronged the Labor Department in the Eastern Province, objectivity and pragmatism were very much evident in their attitude. Young Saudis who approached the department expressed willingness to take up any job suited to their qualifications and aptitude.
This trend is very promising for the country, which is still heavily dependent on foreign labor. It indicates that, in the foreseeable future, Saudis could be seen filling the majority of jobs in the Kingdom.
