This is with reference to the article by Abdullah Sayel “2 salaries: Why not expats?” (Feb. 25). The same gentleman in his previous article had congratulated “government employees of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds in Saudi Arabia” for receiving two-months salary as bonus. The last article showed that the writer was completely unaware of his surroundings. Somebody must have pointed out his folly forcing him to come up with yet another masterpiece. One fails to understand as to what prompted the writer to come up with such a twisted logic justifying the bonus only to Saudis. Expatriates, first of all, did not question this decision.

They simply expressed hopes on various social media platforms that they might also receive this bonus. But equating bonus with other “perks” the expatriates enjoy was not only unfair to them but also showed once again that the writer is not well-versed with the basics of issues pertaining to salaries and other benefits. We don’t expect him to be an expert on everything under the sun but why does he feel that he is qualified enough to write on any given issue. Bonus is something not at all linked to other perks and privileges of any employee. The basic concept of bonus is that it’s a reward in recognition of one’s performance. That’s it. There was no need for the writer to come up with unnecessary explanation.

Farhad Ahmed

Jeddah