By Arouba Al-Muneef
Al-Jazirah
UNEMPLOYMENT is causing headaches for the Kingdom’s decision-makers despite the ongoing efforts to nationalize jobs and create new job opportunities. Now the question is what’s the solution?
Statistics indicate that Saudization of jobs does not exceed 15.48 percent in the private sector, on which the Vision 2030 depends heavily to realize its objectives.
Foreign workers still dominate the workforce in private companies and this has complicated the country’s unemployment problem. The General Statistics Authority announced recently that the rate of jobseekers among Saudi men reached 19.4 percent and 80.6 percent among women.
Unemployment among women is more complicated because of cultural and social factors. Some people still consider sending women to work places a shame while others do not like their women working in a mixed atmosphere. Transport and non-availability of daycare centers are other factors that obstruct women’s employment.
In this contest the bold initiatives taken by some women to establish own home-based business ventures must be appreciated and encouraged. These women make use of Instagram and other social media platforms to market their products and services. They are also engaged in other innovative initiatives — mostly related to food production — to earn a living.
The mobile food cart of Ameena, a young Saudi woman, is one such initiative. She has obtained a license from the municipality. Ameena is considered the first Saudi woman to invest in a mobile food cart in Saihat governorate in the Eastern Province. She has received the support of a number of trained women and the project is named “Arabat Banat Al-Balad.”
This is an inspiring idea and opens a new horizon for women’s employment. But there is a problem facing Ameena and her colleagues in moving the cart from one place to another. She has to get the support of a driver to move the cart. She should also receive the license to drive the cart from one place to another instead of waiting for a male driver to do that job.
At present Ameena and her colleagues cannot do this business independently without the support of a male driver, who has to stay with them all the time. Freedom is essential for the progress of any business venture. Women should take personal, security, social and economic precautions to ensure success of their business activities. Ameena and her colleagues should be given license to drive the cart from one place to another to overcome this impediment.
No doubt, unemployment is a frightening specter for Saudi men as well as women. Apart from the financial deficiency and its bad consequences, we should not ignore its psychological and other negative impacts on an unemployed person and his family. Women suffer more from the consequences of unemployment due to unfair treatment and denial of their legitimate rights.
Employment will certainly empower women as it would help them earn some money to stand firm on their feet without depending on others, ensure her identity and win her full rights.
