Who is preventing the Saudization of the gold markets? Since enforcing the decision last week to replace foreigners working in gold shops with Saudis, the situation has turned into one in which we now have closed shops, disgruntled traders and complaining youth.
According to published reports, 60 percent of the gold shops in Taif have closed. In Makkah it is 40 percent, while in other areas of the Kingdom the figures vary. The question is why there has been so much chaos when employers were given plenty of time to prepare before the decision was implemented.
As usual, businessmen prejudge Saudi youth, branding them irresponsible. On the other hand, reading the views of the youth, it is clear they have a point. The youth argue that they need to work a fixed number of hours and that is certainly their right. Some employees in gold shops were found to work up to 13 hours a day during peak season and an average of 11 hours on ordinary days. This goes on for seven days a week with no day off. It is natural that some will refuse to work under such conditions when they have family obligations and responsibilities to meet. Why then doesn’t the law take into account these considerations and oblige employers to act accordingly?
Applying the shift system might be useful. If some work in the morning and others in the evening, it will help boost productivity and improve the work environment even if the salary is low. Those who can work two shifts could be allowed to do so, and the traders should compensate them by paying overtime.
There remains another problem that concerns businessmen: The inability of the youth to act responsibly, prove their ability to run the business and handle large amounts of money. The solution to this problem requires the cooperation of the businessmen, workers and security forces. When security is tightened at the gold shops with each shop applying its own security precautions and workers chosen for integrity and good character, the volume of responsibility a worker is required to bear will be reduced. This will boost morale and self-confidence, making then capable of effectively running the business.
As for the businessmen’s argument that the youth lack proper training and don’t know how to handle customers, it is the responsibility of chambers of commerce to ensure there are trained young people for these jobs. The chambers knew in advance — in fact several years earlier — of the decision to Saudize the gold shops. If there is a shortcoming here, the chambers should address the situation and begin training these youth. The move to Saudize the sector should be blessed and fully supported since it serves the interests of both the country and its people.
