Many Saudi and foreign security guards have expressed a lack of job satisfaction with their work, saying they are badly paid and not provided with weapons for self-defense when they guard high-security sites.

“We risk our lives and don’t get compensated well for our service,” said Salem Mabrook, a Saudi security guard.

Mabrook says that he stands for long hours guarding important buildings and at times, high-risk sites. Nevertheless, Mabrook earns a low salary, as do most of his colleagues.

“I have spent three years working in this job, but my salary remains at SR1,500. I guarded high-security buildings such as banks, gold shops and major private companies, but have not been given any weaponry to defend myself if thieves were to assault me to try to get in,” Mabrook told Arab News.

The majority of security guards in the Kingdom are not qualified to ensure security at high net worth sites because companies hire them without specifying standards, such as a strong physique or training in vigilance.

“We only stipulate that Saudi youth be in possession of an intermediate diploma and under the age of 20. We also train new employees to enhance security skills,” Mohammad Al-Hazaa, a manager at a security company, told Arab News.

“Salaries vary according to the importance of the site. We pay up to SR3,000 for guards who have specific skills and a strong physique,” he added.

Al-Hazaa admitted that security guards encounter difficulties trying to stop Saudi men getting inside commercial centers that are open only to families, especially at weekends.

Yet many Saudi youth resort to working as security guards because employment opportunities are scarce.

There is a 100 percent Saudization (nationalization) rate in this domain, which encourages Saudis to apply, in addition to the fact that an intermediate diploma is sufficient to be eligible for work.

“I am often fearful of guarding buildings in the south of Jeddah, which has several dangerous areas, especially when I work a night shift. I hope to find another job despite the fact that job opportunities for individuals with only a high school diploma are scarce,” said Mohammad Naeem, a young Saudi who works as a security guard.

“I once tried to capture two young men I saw walking around inside a commercial center I was guarding after midnight in the south of Jeddah. They escaped after threatening to hit me. I was too afraid to confront them because I had no weapon to defend myself,” Naeem said.

Saeed Maimon, a security guard, also expressed fear of working at night.

“Working at night is risky. I can’t anticipate what might befall me. I pray every day to return home safely,” he said.