The last chance for telecom Saudization

The last chance for telecom Saudization

July 26, 2016
Rashid-Al-Fawzan
Rashid-Al-Fawzan

Rashid Al-FawzanRashid Al-Fawzan


IS it possible that the drive to Saudize telecommunication shops has failed? I will not rush things, but I observe signs of grumbling and complaints about services provided at such businesses.

There are those who claim a success rate of 50 percent, more or less, but in my opinion there is no room for failure, especially after the Saudization of gold shops, fruit and vegetable shops, the taxi service and others.

We are currently in campaign to Saudize the telecommunication sector, making all efforts in order to succeed, and this is what we hope for, to be honest. Any failure is a warning, because it means that we are back to the stalled Saudization programs in the past.

Failure means our problem is related to the unemployed, not unemployment, because foreign workers succeed where citizens are unable to prove themselves. What else would this mean?

Although each story of success in the private sector and retail business is simple and easy to achieve, it is very difficult in the eyes of young people. I do want to generalize, because I am convinced that there is no unemployment problem as long as we have job opportunities available.

Currently, this is illustrated not only in the telecommunication shops but in every retail sector. Work is not connected to degrees. Your accounting certificate does not mean that you must be be an accountant. A geography degree does not mean that you have to be a geographer, and a psychology degree does not mean you must work only a social worker.

These rules blow out while looking for work. When you get to work and begin to earn an income then you can discover other abilities you have and also work until you reach what you wanted to become. Not everyone who learned and received degrees work in the field that they have studied.

I do not find any justification for the failure of the Saudization project in the telecommunication sector. I do not know why I see it as the last chance for Saudization. It does not mean that we stop, but we have to paraphrase what we mean by optional unemployment for young people and to address and change their thinking and their approach to work. We must give them a simple message that I hope the Ministry of Labor would adopt as its motto for dealing with young people: “You need to work though work does not need you.”

You must work and earn your livelihood from any respectable business, regardless of your degree. This is what should be understood by all young people. I do not understand and cannot understand why they are not willing to work while the opportunities are available. I wish they could stop listening to naysayers who promote the idea “you’re a Saudi and this does not fit you,” or “If you accept it, start with your son.”

I will accept that my son work and avoid unemployment and earn a living and never ask his father or anyone else for help. Earn your living with pride and power for yourself and your home country, and trust that the lessons you learn every day are the first stop, not the last.


July 26, 2016
HIGHLIGHTS