Numerous Saudis had looked forward to receiving a monthly salary of SR2,000 when King Abdullah announced the Hafiz program in November 2010. When the Ministry of Labor revealed that there would be requirements to be accepted in Hafiz, Saudis were less pleased. Hafiz would help Saudis to find job opportunities in cooperation with a program called Taqat, the ministry said. Taqat provides a four-month training in finding a private sector job to Saudis who are already registered in Hafiz.
“I was planning to buy a car and pay its installments using Hafiz payment,” said Anas Hemaid, a Saudi unemployed high school graduate.
“When the program was announced, they said the unemployed would receive SR2,000, and they didn’t mention any time span. After I registered I discovered my high school certificate allows me to receive only SR975 each month for one year. My plans for a car have been canceled, as this amount is not even enough to pay my mobile bill,” he said.
Smaher Al-Rougi, a Saudi woman who is registered with the social security program of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said she expected Hafiz to be a golden opportunity for her. “I had planned to save the monthly SR2,000 Hafiz payments to start my own business. I got shocked when I discovered I would receive about SR1,200 because I already receive financial aid from the Ministry of Social Affairs,” she said.
She added: “My sister carries a high school certificate and should get SR975. She later found out she would receive only SR125 per month, as she receives SR850 from the Ministry of Social Affairs.”
Bandar Swaileh, 24, is unhappy about the Taqat program. “Saudis will first look for a job in the governmental sector, as the salaries are higher. Why should we enroll in a four-month training course, setting us up to find a job in the low paid private sector?”
Aisha Natto, Saudi businesswoman and board member of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said the Hafiz program confirmed that there are only one million unemployed Saudis in the age group of 20 to 35 years.
“Those who are not registered with Hafiz shouldn’t be considered ‘unemployed’, even when they don’t have a job. They don’t meet the Hafiz requirements for registration, so they can find jobs in other ways. The Labor Ministry will help them,” she said.
Natto added that Hafiz was launched to help Saudis until they find job opportunities. “It’s not a charity. People should understand who are the needy group that must benefit from Hafiz. Those who are not registered are already enjoying other financial sources.”
