The list has been created following the decree of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah a few months ago to support unemployed Saudis. The list currently contains well over two million names, making it likely that the number of ineligible names may run into thousands.
These fearful data reflect two faces of failure: one technical and another ethical. I will begin with the technical failure, as it is obvious that the program, which was designed to receive online applications, was not based on a national database that would have stopped the mess that shatters confidence in the list.
It requires continuous work to scrutinize the names on the list. I do not think the ministry would be willing to do that and would rather dump the entire list and ask the unemployed to apply again.
I wonder if the Ministry of Labor liaised with the National Center for Information to make use of their tremendous database. If they did, applications from government and private sector employees as well as from students would not have been accepted. Can’t we have a single database to refer to in all services provided to the citizens?
The ethical aspect of the failure is something we have suffered from for a long time. What is the logic behind a government employee asking for the unemployment subsidy? Is it the need for an extra income? If so, do the means justify the end? How can we be sure that such employees are immune against the temptations of bribes, embezzlements and fraud? Do they believe that taking public fund unjustifiably is halal?
I think these questions necessitate a massive campaign to enlighten people about what is halal and what is haram. Employees should not feed their children from illegal income.
