The Haj pilgrimage is a peak season for all categories of expatriates to make extra money and is eagerly awaited. However, this year expats will be unable to take up seasonal jobs at Haj due to the new labor regulations that only allow them to work with their sponsors.

The vacuum left by expat workers will open the doors for Saudis to fill the numerous vacancies available during the Haj season. But there are some jobs that Saudi nationals would rather not do.

According to sources, there will be 20,000 seasonal jobs available for Saudis during the upcoming pilgrimage. “However, only 114 young Saudi applicants have expressed desire to work as drivers or technicians,” said Marwan Zubaidi, secretary-general of the General Syndicate of Cars and official spokesman for Haj transport companies.

“We will abide by the law and not hire expats to work in the seasonal jobs as part-timers,” Abdullah Salem, a manager of a local Haj establishment told Arab News. He said although these jobs were seasonal, the expats had transferred their sponsorships to be able to work there.

“In the past, we hired thousands of expat workers as translators, drivers and electricians but this year we will be unable to do so,” he said. “Most Saudis want to work as security men or as data entry personnel,” Salem said, adding that there are very few Saudis who want to take up technical jobs.

Meanwhile, over 20 companies currently operating in the Haj transportation field in Makkah are in need of employing thousands of Saudi youth. “But no Saudi youth have registered for any of the available jobs at my office for this Haj season,” said Marwan Khashoggi, deputy general manager of the Haj Bus Syndicate in Madinah.

He had earlier told Arab News that the office was seeking to employ more than 1,000 Saudi young men to work as guides on buses during the season.

“The coordinating body for pilgrim associations (Tawafa) opened its doors to receive job applications from Saudis last month. We are looking to hire Saudis for the seasonal jobs which the Haj season provides for them,” said Khashoggi.