Why did we fail in achieving the Saudization target? Is it because we are a spoiled nation? Is it because we don’t have the required expertise? Is it because Saudis are always waiting to assume administrative positions? Is it because we’re not used to being punctual and starting work early? Is it because we can’t do overtime like the foreigners that work in the Kingdom? Perhaps these are some of the reasons why the process of Saudization is not succeeding. Some people may think I’m exaggerating — but I wonder what the truth must be?
The decision to nationalize jobs has been costly for many businessmen. Some have even created illusionary jobs to hire Saudis in order to comply with the ratio. So do we really have grounds to blame them for complaining and objecting? Are we not encouraging them to consider the process to be abusive? Let us discuss the reality and find answers to these issues.
We have a large number of unemployed young men and women because non-Saudis are occupying Saudi jobs. Non-Saudi workers receive huge monthly salaries that even reach SR80,000. They live in the best of residential compounds, receive annual airline tickets to travel home and the employers cover health needs.
Meanwhile, young Saudis want to fit into society by finding decent employment and starting their own families. However, they only find jobs that pay a few thousand riyals.
Despite this, shouldn’t we test the soil before implanting the seeds? We have to wait and give this young generation a chance to learn.
As a nation we want to achieve the benefits of Saudization, but how can we replace an engineer who spent his entire life serving us faithfully and energetically with a Saudi who has just graduated? Experience is not only about working it also includes an element of know-how about dealing with others and the sense to address unexpected problems related to work. Is the Saudi generation qualified and ready for all this?
A friend once told me about how a non-Saudi employee at his company was honored when going into retirement after working for 18 years. The man had earned huge profits for the company and trained so many employees. It was time for him to be replaced and a Saudi was chosen to take his place. In a short while other Saudi employees became annoyed with their new boss even though he was a compatriot. Apparently the new Saudi boss was arrogant and was of the view that management was all about giving orders. Workers said he was difficult to talk with, would never listen to other viewpoints, and would believe he was always right.
I wonder, for the process of Saudization is it enough to just employ lots of Saudis in a company? Shouldn’t there be a system that gradually helps companies achieve the target? Whose responsibility is it to implement the system — company owners or the government? I believe that Saudization can only be successful if investors feel that they have a responsibility toward national development and that they need to contribute.
Before given the responsibility of a certain job Saudis must have appropriate training programs that help increase their professional and academic skills. Training courses or programs must include self-development techniques and the art of dealing with people especially when it comes to wealthy spoiled Saudis.
Saudization is a solution. It helps eliminate unemployment in the Kingdom. But it is wrong to force it on people. It seems that Saudization is proving to be a failure. It has shattered the young Saudis’ confidence in our education system. They constantly feel that they’re dealing with people who are trying to prove their inefficiency no matter how hard they try. The problem is not about forcefully implementing a decision, but it is about abandoning our youth. I have faith in the new Saudi generation and I believe that they can shine if they were given the chance.
