This is in response to an article by Rashed Al-Fowzan entitled, “The Private Sector Is Not Responsible for Unemployment.” Unemployment in most places in the world is the result of a scarcity of jobs. In Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia, however, unemployment is not the result of a scarcity or unavailability of jobs. Here in the Kingdom it is a result of the private sector refusing to employ Saudis. Saudis are evidently undesirable in the private sector.
Businessmen prefer non-Saudis because they follow instructions and are willing to work longer hours; in addition it is easy to get rid of a non-Saudi. That is why the private sector makes it difficult for Saudis by putting up barriers — especially the English language barrier and the years of experience barrier. Sometimes the experience barrier is 10 years when the person seeking the job is no older than 30! And was 24 when he or she graduated. All these barriers are put in place to justify employing non-Saudis. The mechanism for employing Saudis or for encouraging Saudis to find jobs in the private sector does not exist.
The writer of the article blames Saudis and he concentrates that we are in an Arab country that naturally speaks Arabic. There might be some specialties which need English but they are a small percentage. Yes, English is important but it should not become a barrier that keeps people from getting jobs.
If the person is an Arab, working in an Arab country, speaking to Arabs, what is the need for English? Why does the writer blame our educational system for not teaching English? The language can be learned in six months or a year. If companies and private institutions copied the Saudi ARAMCO and Saudi Arabian Airlines training programs, employees could be taught English.
The writer mentioned that the private sector wants the right person in the right position. That is not what the private sector is asking for; it will suck the blood from the employee and make him work hard just to save money. The writer also mentioned that Saudi workers prefer the government sector to the private sector because the government sector is governed by regulations and is much safer.
I also reject what the writer said about most Saudis wanting to become managers as soon as they are employed in the private sector. We know that many top managers in Saudi companies are foreigners who prefer people from their country. If the government did not force Saudization, we would never see a Saudi working in the private sector.
- Arab News Local Press 17 September 2003
