Majed Muhammad Garoub
We have around 11 million expatriate workers in the Kingdom. We will always need the services of people who can do domestic jobs, such as drivers and housemaids and also construction workers. We need to focus on Saudizing jobs that can only be performed by skilled workers, i.e., college graduates and graduates of technical programs. The government and the media should target this section of society and raise public awareness, especially among young men and women. The salaries should be high enough to attract Saudis.
Expatriates who have qualifications usually work as receptionists, secretaries and accountants. Saudis who do such jobs usually do so for a short time because the salaries range between SR4,000 and SR7,000 a month.
We have around two million jobs available for graduates of technology colleges and holders of business and management diplomas. However, we need to train and qualify Saudis for these jobs, give them courses in work ethics and prepare them mentally to do such jobs.
During my undergraduate years, I worked for a government agency and was paid SR50 an hour. I learned a lot from this job and the things I learned helped me in my second job, which was at a fast food company. I worked as a cleaner and cleaned restrooms for three months. Over time, I became the deputy manager of public relations and marketing for the same company.
Then I worked as a legal counselor for the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and later for Clifford Chance. Then I became the chairman of the Committee of Jeddah lawyers. Today, I am an adviser to the president of the International Bar Association and advisor to the International Association of Sports Law. The only thing I cared about right from the beginning was to enhance my love and spirit for work.
