We are used to annual meetings with Interior Minister Prince Naif, whether on employment day in Saudi universities or at business conventions. During these meetings, businessmen discuss national problems and solutions with the prince.
Unemployment indicators existed ten years ago. The issue has long been debated in universities and consultancies. All the surveys conducted show one thing only, that the problem is growing fast, and that if we don’t find the perfect solution that we all agree on, the problem will turn into a disaster.
The Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Labor and the Manpower Council are working together for a joint plan to put an end to unemployment. The problem could be solved by developing regulations, supporting human resource programs, financing and establishing specialized institutions and working closely with institutions and universities on new plans for the future needs of the job market.
It is time to face up to our national responsibility, not merely to talk about it. It is the private sector’s responsibility toward our country. Many people have warned of the impending disaster of unemployment. If it happens, and I hope it doesn’t, then the private sector will be the first to suffer. Youngsters will put the blame on businesses and factories. I hope that the “unemployment revolution” will not look similar to the revolution of the poor in old Europe. Unemployment produces poverty. Poverty in educated people produces revolutions that create destruction to society and the economy.
When are we going to wake up to this national threat? When will we stop making excuses? When will we realize that employing Saudis is good for our economy? It will save tens of billions of riyals exported by foreign workers to their country. Even if half of this money is spent in our market, we will have a much stronger economy and a more active market. When are we going to work together to solve unemployment if we cannot even agree on a figure? Is it 11 percent or 23 percent, more or less?
Are we proud of the Saudization we have achieved? Have we eliminated the problem of illegal overstayers who work with Saudis? Are we working with training institutions to employ Saudis? Have we considered establishing a specialized center that trains and employs Saudis? Has Saudization started in our private offices?
How can we have a conversation with the prince and not be honest with ourselves? How can we ask more of the government but do nothing ourselves? The next meeting will take place in a very tough situation for the region and for our country. All of us, the private sector and the government, have to work together to eliminate the problem.
Arab News From the Local Press 19 March 2003
