Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH – The Education Ministry has decided to terminate work contracts of 300 daily wage employees in Hafr Al-Baten. The surprise move has drawn the indignation of affected workers who urged authorities to review “the unjust and arbitrary” decision.

“The Education Department in Hafr Al-Baten has fired 300 employees without giving them any warning. Most of them have got good experience,” said Abdullah Al-Harbi. The department has nullified their contracts while extending their work until Dhul Qada (August).

The employees rejected the ministry’s decision to cancel their contracts and extend their jobs for three months. “We demand authorities to provide us permanent jobs and take steps to improve our condition,” Al-Madina Arabic daily quoted the workers as saying.

Khalaf Radeef Al-Shammary, who holds a diploma in computer science, said he has been working under the Education Department of Hafr Al-Baten in its IT Department. “I have obtained a number of merit and appreciation certificates,” he said.

Al-Shammary said he had asked authorities to show them the full text of the ministry’s decision. “But they refused to show the text and showed us only the date of decision.”

“How can they appoint qualified workers on temporary wages?” he asked.

Badr Al-Alawi, another victim of the ministry’s decision, urged authorities to take immediate action to improve the condition of affected employees, considering the certificates they have. “The ministry should consider our educational qualification which is more than enough for the jobs we have been doing,” he added.

Mubarak Al-Osaimi, spokesman of the Education Ministry, said his organization cancelled contracts with daily wage employees on the directives of higher authorities and monitoring agencies as well as to tackle excesses and violation of the law.

He said education departments have started cancelling all contracts that violate regulations. “We’ll give priority to those Saudis who have lost their jobs as a result of cancelling contracts when new recruitment is made for security guards,” he added.

Al-Osaimi said it will help affected employees get better salaries and medical insurance. “The ministry believes in the academic qualification of contract workers. We’ll give them priority while conducting new recruitment, considering their expertise,” he added.