MAKKAH: There are an increasing number of job opportunities in Makkah as the Haj season approaches. Many of them are in Tawafa organizations, the guides office and United Zamzam Office, aside from seasonal jobs in government offices. A job can be found for a man or woman of any age and qualification.
There are also people who run their own seasonal jobs when millions converge in Makkah and Madinah over a period of about two months. In short, the people of Makkah eagerly await the Haj season.
Miteb Al-Saad, a driver whose educational achievements do not extend beyond his local intermediate school, told Arab News that he used to earn a whole year’s salary in two months. He only needed to spend money keeping his car in good condition.
“I used to carry pilgrims during the season and it has been highly lucrative because pilgrims would pay any amount I asked for a short journey.”
Umm Badr, a widow with four children, said she used to work as an inspector of female pilgrims at the Grand Mosque during the season. She also prepared food for domestic pilgrim organizations. “The two jobs guaranteed me the income to bring up my children in a satisfactory manner,” she said.
Atif Nadeem said his monthly salary as a company worker was not sufficient enough to support his big family. “However, the Haj season gives me the opportunity to make some extra money. I work part-time in a Tawafa organization for two months and earn SR5,000,” he added.
Chairman of the United Zamzam Office Suleiman Abu Ghelya said, “My office offers 1,000 jobs during the 55-day Haj season. Saudis are employed as inspectors, drivers and distributors of the holy water.”
Chief of the Tawafa Organization for Non-Arab African Countries Abdul Wahid Saifuddin said he employs between 3,000-5,000 Saudis every Haj season.
“As they work as assistants in administration offices or as field workers, their salaries vary depending on their qualifications and skills.”
He added that last year his establishment appointed Saudi female cooks in the holy sites for the first time. He hoped in future women would be offered more opportunities to work and serve pilgrims.
