RIYADH, 19 September 2006 — Out-of-job Saudis are calling on the Shoura Council to introduce a system that provides them with monthly stipends until they find jobs, Al-Youm daily said yesterday.
Sultan Al-Wadi said he wished he could give the Shoura Council suggestions concerning the large number of unemployed youths. “I hope that the council will approve giving high school and university graduates monthly stipends until they find jobs,” he said.
Fahd Al-Zahrani wonders why Saudi Arabia has still not implemented such “progressive ideas” as in many developed countries. “The Kingdom is rich, so why can’t we take such steps,” said Al-Zahrani.
Abdullah Abdul Kalik said, “I hope the Shourah Council would issue a decision in which all citizens, particularly high school and university graduates, who don’t have regular incomes could be entitled to monthly payments.”
He said in Britain as soon as students graduate they are entitled to an equivalent of SR1,000 each month in unemployment benefits until they find jobs.
Fahd Al-Arjani feels that the Shoura and its sub-committee on youth issues need to discuss the matter in detail and consider the benefits and disadvantages of such a move.
