Recently I wrote an article about unemployment in which I noted that it is considered a vital issue in every country. I also mentioned that unemployment is linked to a country’s progress; reducing unemployment is always an important plank in any candidate’s election platform. My article also observed that Saudi Arabia has first-hand knowledge of this international problem and that unemployment in the Kingdom is a major national problem.
The Labor Ministry admits the existence of unemployment. Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi has said in his statements that tackling unemployment is his ministry’s top priority. The ministry considers one unemployed job-searching Saudi — male or female — to be worth great efforts to find him or her a suitable job. If we follow the ministry’s actions, we will see that it is moving to implement strategies that will eliminate, or at the very least, considerably diminish, the problem.
The ministry has stated its goals:
• To search for the reasons for unemployment among Saudis in relation to population increases and the number of graduates;
• To search for a variety of means and methods to help eliminate unemployment in Saudi society;
• To study the job market and its dependence on foreign labor which is one cause of unemployment among Saudi youth, both males and females;
• To look at the role of social customs and traditions which make some people to refuse to accept certain professions and jobs.
The ministry believes one of the main causes of unemployment among Saudis is the continuing recruitment of foreign workers. Statistics released by the ministry indicate that Saudi citizens bring in one million workers every year. Sixty billion Saudi riyals are transferred every year by foreigners to locations outside the Kingdom.
Dr. Al-Gosaibi said in a lecture in Riyadh not long ago, “I tell you with absolute clarity that the core strategy of the Labor Ministry is to decrease the number of foreigners being recruited to work in the Kingdom. And with equal clarity I say that one way of achieving this is to increase recruitment fees so that they match the recruitment fees for a Saudi worker. I also say that if the heart of the strategy stops beating, other parts will definitely die.”
The ministry’s dedication to its task is seen by looking at the number of visas issued. (We are presently in 1427.) In 1424, the number of visas issued was 832,244; the next year, the number dropped to 684,201 which means there was a reduction of 148,043 visas.
We know that we are facing a national problem that concerns every citizen and not only the Labor Ministry. We must be partners in finding solutions. Individuals, as well as the private and public sectors, must take full responsibility in performing our role. Doing so will demonstrate our loyalty to our country and will help future generations advance and progress.
