JEDDAH, 15 June 2005 — The ancient profession of official scribe is thriving outside government offices in Jeddah. Professional writers, versed in the intricacies of filling out application forms or writing petitions to government departments line the street outside government offices. As valuable as their writing skills is their knowledge of the ways of government departments.
Both Saudi and non-Saudi citizens work in small kiosks or sometimes offices. The majority is of a mature age with long experience — sometimes they act as consultants or lawyers. However modern technology is a threat now for those entering this occupation with petitions now being printed on computers or transferred via Internet.
Abdullah Abed, a petition-writer works in an office at the entrance of the labor office, said, “Mostly I fill out forms for labor-recruitment, or final exit that a citizen needs at the labor office. I’ve been doing this job for nine years.”
He said that the municipality does put obstacles in their way. “We don’t make any problems or don’t try to rouse any misunderstanding or cause any disturbance to others. We’re here only to make a living and not to hurt anyone.”
A petition-writer knows how to write and read Arabic and how to select the proper format in which to write a petition in order to explain the situation to the recipient.
“I’ve been working in this field for 15 years,” said Mohammad Al-Badawi, “and the nature of my work includes filling out petitions and request forms in front of the Civil Services Department because most of those coming to these areas are ignorant about the filling-out form process even if they can read and write.”
He works from 7.30 a.m. to noon prayer and then collects his children from their schools.
“All the papers we have are legal and in accordance with the system and are recognized by the relevant government departments,” said Al-Badawi, “and we’re allowed by the government to do what we’re doing.”
He added that there were some working in this field who also agreed to be legal representatives on behalf of some petitioners.
Al-Badawi thought that there ought to be stalls or rentable storage for their papers.
“If the municipality would provide us with kiosks at good prices or for free then we’re ready to use them, if not we can’t,” said Saudi citizen Saleh Al-Negheimash.
“I’m a petition and application writer,” said Eisa Ali who has a large family. “If the municipality set up kiosks with reasonable rental prices, that would be good.”
Al-Negheimash said that petition-writers did not have social insurance or union; anyone who wants to work in this area only had to get a desk, some papers, canopy and a pen.
Earnings are generally low. Tami Hussein said, “The earnings vary; I personally earn from SR50 to SR80 a day.”
Abdullah Abed said, “As for me it depends on the work I’m doing — average earnings ranges from SR100 to SR130. Since computers have entered the scene earnings have decreased by 60 percent.”
“I’ve been working in this field for 13 years,” said Abdullah Al-Muled. “I used to hand-write the petitions and application requests. With the development of computers, I’ve had to learn to use them to go along with change.”
