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Discuss this article (8 Comments)Young Arabs tell of obstacles to finding good jobs
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Sunday, 07 June 2009
SURVEY RESULTS: Young Arabs have revealed the major obstacles to finding a job in the region.
A shortage of good jobs and the need to know someone senior in a company (wasta) are the main factors young Arabs most frequently mention as obstacles to getting a job in the region, according to a new survey.
The first Silatech-Gallup poll conducted among young Arabs across Middle East and North Africa found that 58 percent of respondents said they would be willing to relocate to find a suitable job.
When asked whether knowing people in high positions is critical to getting a job, the majority of the respondents in all countries answered yes, The Peninsula reported on Sunday.
A lack of proper training, or lack of good jobs was another challenge mentioned by a sizeable number of youth in most regions, the paper added in its report on The Silatech Index: Voices of Young Arabs which is due to be unveiled later on Sunday.
Respondents' satisfaction with efforts to increase the number of quality jobs was lowest in Iraq (10 percent), while it was highest in the UAE (69 percent), followed by Qatar (65 percent) and Kuwait (63 percent).
A relatively high proportion of young Arabs who are not currently business owners plan to start a business next year, the survey also showed.
The survey findings were based on face-to-face interviews with young people, aged 15-29, in Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
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Are you kidding me?
Posted by Am, Shj, UAE on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 22:14 UAE time
This is unbelievable! Surely there are some jobs that require highly skilled people where European education or European do count, but to say that young Arabs cannot find jobs is ridiculous. Young Asians cannot find a job, there are so many entry level jobs that I have seen that either need or discriminate on not knowing Arabic such as underwriting, banking, copywriting and even some administrative ones.
Posted by Am, Shj, UAE on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 22:14 UAE time
This is unbelievable! Surely there are some jobs that require highly skilled people where European education or European do count, but to say that young Arabs cannot find jobs is ridiculous. Young Asians cannot find a job, there are so many entry level jobs that I have seen that either need or discriminate on not knowing Arabic such as underwriting, banking, copywriting and even some administrative ones.
I totally agree with you DSM
Posted by Graham, Merseyside, United Kingdom on Monday 8 June 2009 at 23:36 UAE time
After redaing the comments made regarding good jobs factor and the meaning of such, I agree with the dear DSM who quite rightly puts it a good job is one you work hard for and appreciate its contents of such a good job, working hard in a job will obviously bring you a good job, and only by working hard can you achieve to be in a good job.
Yes I am from UK and often read these articles and again often reply to some, i have tried many times over the last year or so to gain employment in UAE to no avail, and I will not give up because I know one day somones eye will catch my CV and maybe give me that opportunity to gain employment in UAE.
I visit the UAE monthly and have done for the last eight months or so in the hope of finding suitbale employment in my field of construction, and quite often I meet people from all walks of life and from all ages. We discuss this and that, and we discuss employment opportunites in UAE and to be honest even when i discuss with the young arabs all they do is complain, about no work for them and that they deserve the work before others, probably meaning ex pats etc, I inform them that many ex pats are hard working people and that any opportunity whether in UAE or any where else in the world for employment should be open to all people from all walks of life so long as they can commit and show evidenec that they are willing to work hard for the reward of a good job, it seems to me that some arabs the young at least seem to think they should automatically gain the job, just because their arabs well fine, maybe they should BUT without knowledge and experience how on earth can they be offered a job when so many ex pats have so many years in their chosen subject and can give 100% attention to their new employer within their new job in a new country. So hey guys we are all entitled to work in our chosen subjects and chosen industries so long as the employer has the confidence in the particular person they have employed from whatever nationality they are from, it seems only fair, and for you guys who complain, well wake up its time you get off your back sides and gain the experience, a little advise start from the bottom and work to the top, because after all thats how most of us got their.
Well done DSM for your comments. good read and sensible.
Regards
Graham Hughes (UK)
Posted by Graham, Merseyside, United Kingdom on Monday 8 June 2009 at 23:36 UAE time
After redaing the comments made regarding good jobs factor and the meaning of such, I agree with the dear DSM who quite rightly puts it a good job is one you work hard for and appreciate its contents of such a good job, working hard in a job will obviously bring you a good job, and only by working hard can you achieve to be in a good job.
Yes I am from UK and often read these articles and again often reply to some, i have tried many times over the last year or so to gain employment in UAE to no avail, and I will not give up because I know one day somones eye will catch my CV and maybe give me that opportunity to gain employment in UAE.
I visit the UAE monthly and have done for the last eight months or so in the hope of finding suitbale employment in my field of construction, and quite often I meet people from all walks of life and from all ages. We discuss this and that, and we discuss employment opportunites in UAE and to be honest even when i discuss with the young arabs all they do is complain, about no work for them and that they deserve the work before others, probably meaning ex pats etc, I inform them that many ex pats are hard working people and that any opportunity whether in UAE or any where else in the world for employment should be open to all people from all walks of life so long as they can commit and show evidenec that they are willing to work hard for the reward of a good job, it seems to me that some arabs the young at least seem to think they should automatically gain the job, just because their arabs well fine, maybe they should BUT without knowledge and experience how on earth can they be offered a job when so many ex pats have so many years in their chosen subject and can give 100% attention to their new employer within their new job in a new country. So hey guys we are all entitled to work in our chosen subjects and chosen industries so long as the employer has the confidence in the particular person they have employed from whatever nationality they are from, it seems only fair, and for you guys who complain, well wake up its time you get off your back sides and gain the experience, a little advise start from the bottom and work to the top, because after all thats how most of us got their.
Well done DSM for your comments. good read and sensible.
Regards
Graham Hughes (UK)
Which "Good Job" you are talking about ?
Posted by DSM, Dubai on Monday 8 June 2009 at 10:08 UAE time
First of all one should specify the meaning of “A Good Job” (at least from a “young ARAB’s” point of view)! I remember, we were taught in our childhood that no work (job) is bad, as long as it is an Honest, Legal, Ethical and socially accepted; which doesn’t harm anyone’s interest or feelings and/or is NOT considered as any sort of CRIME! Keeping this in view, even a Cleaner’s job is equally “Good” (in my view honorable) as a CEO! (Imagine if the Garbage bins on streets are not cleared daily, how we would feel even knowing that we are the ones who have contributed to that pile of garbage resulting foul smells!)
Now, coming to the article that starts with, “A shortage of good jobs and the need to know someone senior in a company (wasta) are the main factors young Arabs most frequently mention as obstacles to getting a job in the region, according to a new survey.” I can’t understand head & tail of it! How many people (Arabs) were questioned/interviewed on the subject? Of what number of Arabs this 58% is derived who is willing to “Relocate” if offered a “Good Job”! Surely, they must NOT be Emaratis, Kuwaitis, Bahrainis, Qataris & Saudis!! Who are these Arabs the article is talking about who need a “Wasta” to get a “Good Job”? Can someone tell them that “Wasta” can only get them a Job but NOT the SKILLS to actually DO that job! ............ The result?? ......... Ah ... it’s not a good job!!
I am not an Arab & I have been working in UAE for almost 20 years. I started my career as an Accounting Assistant. Currently I hold a Managerial Position & have interviewed hundreds of candidates for various Junior & Middle Management positions during last 10 years (like Chief/Senior Accountants, Admin staff etc.) for the companies I worked or currently working for; but have never come across sizable amount of applications from most of the Arab nationalities (especially Male Arabs) at any point of time! Surprisingly Most of the companies (I work for) are owned by Arabs (say UAE Nationals) and I DON’T HAVE ANY “WASTA” WITH THE OWNERS!! ............ The moral of the story: U have to learn to “Crawl” then “Walk” and then “Run” before you dream of running a Race!
I don’t understand how “Silatech-Gallup” can generalise the definition of a “Good Job” amongst people of the Middle East & North Africa!!! I don’t know what does Silatech-Gallup mean or which organisation is this, but surely know that a “Good Job” for an Algerian, Somali, Sudanese & Tunisian national (here Arab) would vastly differ in meaning and type in comparison with an Iraqi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Yemeni & Syrian “Arab”, while the “Good Job” for Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabian & (above all) UAE Nationals may mean something totally different! Moreover, the so called survey was conducted amongst the people of age “15-29”!! Now can anyone tell me IF IT IS LEGAL TO WORK (or appoint one as a worker) who is LESS THAN 18 years of age??!!! ………… Come on “AB” print something sensible!! ….. We know you can do that!
Posted by DSM, Dubai on Monday 8 June 2009 at 10:08 UAE time
First of all one should specify the meaning of “A Good Job” (at least from a “young ARAB’s” point of view)! I remember, we were taught in our childhood that no work (job) is bad, as long as it is an Honest, Legal, Ethical and socially accepted; which doesn’t harm anyone’s interest or feelings and/or is NOT considered as any sort of CRIME! Keeping this in view, even a Cleaner’s job is equally “Good” (in my view honorable) as a CEO! (Imagine if the Garbage bins on streets are not cleared daily, how we would feel even knowing that we are the ones who have contributed to that pile of garbage resulting foul smells!)
Now, coming to the article that starts with, “A shortage of good jobs and the need to know someone senior in a company (wasta) are the main factors young Arabs most frequently mention as obstacles to getting a job in the region, according to a new survey.” I can’t understand head & tail of it! How many people (Arabs) were questioned/interviewed on the subject? Of what number of Arabs this 58% is derived who is willing to “Relocate” if offered a “Good Job”! Surely, they must NOT be Emaratis, Kuwaitis, Bahrainis, Qataris & Saudis!! Who are these Arabs the article is talking about who need a “Wasta” to get a “Good Job”? Can someone tell them that “Wasta” can only get them a Job but NOT the SKILLS to actually DO that job! ............ The result?? ......... Ah ... it’s not a good job!!
I am not an Arab & I have been working in UAE for almost 20 years. I started my career as an Accounting Assistant. Currently I hold a Managerial Position & have interviewed hundreds of candidates for various Junior & Middle Management positions during last 10 years (like Chief/Senior Accountants, Admin staff etc.) for the companies I worked or currently working for; but have never come across sizable amount of applications from most of the Arab nationalities (especially Male Arabs) at any point of time! Surprisingly Most of the companies (I work for) are owned by Arabs (say UAE Nationals) and I DON’T HAVE ANY “WASTA” WITH THE OWNERS!! ............ The moral of the story: U have to learn to “Crawl” then “Walk” and then “Run” before you dream of running a Race!
I don’t understand how “Silatech-Gallup” can generalise the definition of a “Good Job” amongst people of the Middle East & North Africa!!! I don’t know what does Silatech-Gallup mean or which organisation is this, but surely know that a “Good Job” for an Algerian, Somali, Sudanese & Tunisian national (here Arab) would vastly differ in meaning and type in comparison with an Iraqi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Lebanese, Yemeni & Syrian “Arab”, while the “Good Job” for Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabian & (above all) UAE Nationals may mean something totally different! Moreover, the so called survey was conducted amongst the people of age “15-29”!! Now can anyone tell me IF IT IS LEGAL TO WORK (or appoint one as a worker) who is LESS THAN 18 years of age??!!! ………… Come on “AB” print something sensible!! ….. We know you can do that!
Young Arabs
Posted by Mansoor, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 7 June 2009 at 13:02 UAE time
I think there is no such thing as a young Arab. If you English to an extent then I think Arabs are paid more than any other expat from the Asian Subcintinent. And the only thing they have adbantage is that they know Arabic, unlike some of their asian rivals.
Posted by Mansoor, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 7 June 2009 at 13:02 UAE time
I think there is no such thing as a young Arab. If you English to an extent then I think Arabs are paid more than any other expat from the Asian Subcintinent. And the only thing they have adbantage is that they know Arabic, unlike some of their asian rivals.
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