I have dealt with this topic many times, in several articles. I raised the same issue before several officials in addition to addressing a number of forums about it. This is because my heart and intelligence attach great significance to this public problem. Moreover, I am concerned about our younger generation, that is the precious wealth of our nation.
Making an investment in human resources is ideal for any country — this is the motto behind my efforts for many years. We should have a mechanism so we can invest properly in this potent resource, whether they are still students or searching for jobs after graduating.
It is unfortunate the Ministry of Labor is apparently only dedicated to tackling the problems of foreign workers, with the Kingdom’s young jobseekers left behind. This seems to be because of the allegations raised by international human rights bodies against Saudi Arabia’s treatment of its foreign workforce.
The ministry even revised its labor law, imposing tough regulations on Saudi citizens to ensure the comfort and welfare of foreign housemaids and drivers.
Their rights have become much more precious and valuable than that of Saudi citizens, who spend thousands of riyals hiring these workers, who in turn run away in pursuit of higher wages. This does not mean of course that their rights should altogether be ignored. It is our obligation as Muslims to respect them as members of our household and appreciate their services.
Hence, the best thing I can suggest is that we set up government agencies, in partnership with the private sector, to handle issues associated with our young workforce.
At the same time, the Ministry of Labor should devote itself to solve the problem of our jobless youth.
Its main concern should be how to safeguard this precious resource of ours, rather than allowing the younger generation to make their own investments in drugs or terrorism.
Second Bell: I also dealt with another issue on previous occasions. This was about the best form of investment that we could make to achieve proper maintenance of our government schools for boys and girls. We can work out a new scheme for this in the coming academic year, and this can be achieved without costing the government a single riyal.
Why don’t we transform these schools into vocational workshops for our students during this summer vacation? The girls could be given training on acquiring household skills, in addition to computer and language courses.
Experts in each vocation could be utilized, while private companies could sponsor the programs and attract a new generation of customers. The boys could be given training in maintenance, as well as how to become an electrician, plumber, painter, mechanic and so on.
The program can be organized in cooperation with the General Organization of Technical Education and Vocational Training. Subsequently, these trained youths would form a large pool of skilled workers that can replace the foreign workforce, that currently dominate these sectors.
Third Bell: All these initiatives, no doubt, will benefit the nation and increase the potential of its workforce. A more significant factor is that we can engage our younger generation in activities that are highly useful to them and the nation as well. They can return to school with increased vigor and enthusiasm in the next academic year. Is this not useful for us all?
I propose that these youths be given training in the maintenance of mosques during the month of Shaaban, in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan.
They can also be given practical training in taking care of the sick and elderly. A team of young volunteers can be formed from each locality. And I will keep ringing the bells until someone goes deaf from hearing them!
