DAMMAM, 7 April 2003 — The authorities in a crackdown in Riyadh arrested several expatriates who were working as cashiers in supermarkets. A similar action was taken a few weeks ago at Dammam gold souk where the authorities suspended the work permits of expatriates workings in the showrooms. Last year the vegetable market in Dammam and Alkhobar saw a similar crackdown where dozens of expatriates were arrested for working in vegetable shops.
The government has accelerated its Saudization drive, and rightly so as the unemployment graph of Saudis is steadily going up. But certainly the government never meant to achieve Saudization by undue harassment of expatriates. It is essentially some overzealous officials who in the heat of the moment lose their sense of justice.
Last weekend’s arrest of expatriates in Riyadh is a clear example of an attitude that recklessly ignores human dignity.
What these authorities have to understand is that foreign workers do not choose their assignments themselves. It is the management that assigns them to their jobs. If an expatriate is working as a cashier or a salesman or a supervisor, it is not his choice. He is merely following the orders of the management. All employment contracts clearly stipulate that the employee will have to accept the assignments given to him.
An expatriate is legally and contractually bound to these assignments — be it as a cashier or a salesman. If any law is broken or rule flouted, then the onus is on the management. Effectively, it is the management which has to be reprimanded and punished for the violation.
In all the major supermarket chains, including Tamimi Safeway or Azizia Panda, most of the check-out counters are manned by expatriates. The managements of these supermarkets provide training to Saudis and hopes that, in the fullness of time, Saudis will be ready to man the check-out independently. At some of the counters there already are Saudis handling cash independently, but yes, it is a rare sight. If the authorities think that expatriates in these outfits are acting illegally by working on cash registers, then instead of arresting them they should pursue the matter with the management of these big outfits. I think that is basic common sense.
For many years, expatriate workers have been used as scapegoats for the illegal actions of small businessmen. Last year more than a hundred expatriates were arrested because they did not carry their Iqama (residence permit). They remained in jail for several days until their sponsors came and arranged their release.
It is a well-known fact that many contracting companies do not let their menial staff carry their Iqama and give them a photocopy instead.
I am sure that if the relevant authorities are aware of this practice, then surely lesser authorities must also be aware of it. But once they find a Bangladeshi, Indian or Sri Lankan who does not have an Iqama on his person they do not hesitate for one second to put him in jail. Putting a few innocent expatriates in jail will certainly do nothing for Saudization.
