One day the director of a private hospital was talking about the hospital’s Saudi employees and got a bit carried away. As he spoke, he got more and more upset, showing clearly how strongly he felt. He accused Saudis of many things — being lazy, not cooperating with non-Saudis, lacking ability in English and demanding unrealistic salaries.
He evidently saw no flaws in his own management style and no shortcomings in the way the hospital was run. Neither his eyes nor his managerial skills were able to point out the hospital’s managerial problems or absence of humane feelings. He couldn’t see how he underestimated Saudi employees, both male and female. His complaints didn’t address the absence of honest managerial policies in the hospital. He was totally unaware of the hospital’s dictatorial management and the arbitrariness of many decisions.
Why didn’t the director look for reasons that his Saudi employees regularly leave his hospital to go to others that offer them greater opportunities and much pleasanter work environments? If, on the other hand, we agree with the director regarding the Saudi employees’ deficiencies, then has the director or the hospital owner considered how they might remedy those deficiencies? Did they set up training courses or practical procedures that would increase employee morale and make them more loyal? I am certain that they didn’t do any of these things since they are basically greedy people who don’t want to spend a single riyal in the service of their country or its citizens. The easy way out for them is to blame the Labor Ministry since complaining is cost-free.
I thought of many names while writing this article — students and trainees who eagerly seek English institutes and computer centers where they can enroll and develop their skills. Aren’t our ambitious youth worthy of respect and assistance from wealthy businessmen? Is it possible that the young generation is rejected and less talented people employed simply to save a few riyals? I am calling for the Ministry of Labor to stand by these young people who are treated unjustly. Their voices must be heard and those who mistreat them must be made to change their ways.
I wish that the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance could take into consideration the recommendations of health care professionals and employ qualified people in appropriate jobs. Maintaining standards in medical support services should be the function of a committee for improving all health-related services. Of such a committee, we have never heard.
Last but not least, I address patients and hospital visitors to point out that hospitals that don’t have respect for employees don’t respect patients. Take your families to hospitals where you see your relatives and children happy and bright and stay away from hospitals where you feel ill at ease and the staff seems unhappy. By doing so, you are in fact supporting your country.
