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Discuss this article (11 Comments)Low opinion of private sector 'holds back Gulf region'
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Monday, 08 June 2009
LOW OPINION: Gulf nationals' low opinion of the private sector is holding back the region, it has been claimed. (Getty Images)
A leading human rights advocate has warned that Gulf nationals’ poor opinion of private sector employment has “held back” the region.
“People here [in the GCC] want to have jobs in government; they don’t regard the private sector as being secure or of prestige, and this perception has held back the Gulf,” Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Arabian Business on the eve of the second annual Silatech summit in Doha, Qatar.
Robinson also suggested that government money was being wasted in “misdirected” attempts to educate local populations for job opportunities that were not being provided by the private sector.
“There is a lot of training, but it is not training that’s getting anybody anywhere because it’s not linked to job opportunities,” she said.
“Governments feel they’re doing a lot, and they are doing a lot, but some of what they’re doing is investing a lot of resources for not enough of an outcome. It’s misdirected.”
Robinson was speaking as a member of the board of trustees of Silatech, a Qatar-based initiative that aims to improve the social and economic status of young people in the Arab world, particularly with regards to tackling youth unemployment.
It is spearheaded by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al-Missned, wife of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
“Training in the abstract for young people is a bit frustrating, so we want to link a better quality of training to real job opportunities,” Robinson added.
“We want to expand the pool of job opportunities by putting pressure on employers to be part of the solution and to be innovative about new jobs and to use the competitive advantages of this region.”
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Why Locals employ Expats?
Posted by DSM, Dubai on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 11:10 UAE time
Boss, it has been an endless argument since ages that the GCC Nationals/Arabs/Locals etc. etc. are neglected or are not being offered "Good Jobs" or say Equal Opportunities in Private Sector....... Can anyone tell me WHY the fellow Nationals/Arabs/Locals appoint Expats in their firms and NOT the Sons of the Soil????
There are 100s of Private Sector Companies ACTUALLY OWNED & MANAGED by the LOCALS in GCC (I am not referring to Sponsorship or "Kafalat" Companies here). There are companies like EMAAR, Jumeirah Group, Al Ain Dairy Form, DUBAL, DUCAB, Emirates Polystyrene, DUGAS, National Flour Mill, RAK Ceramics.... and the list goes on.... ALL these companies are owned by the LOCALS only, and have capability to employ thousands (or may be hundreds of thousands) of people collectively, can anyone tell me WHY these companies DO NOT have ALL their employees as LOCALS?? IF they do this, the Unemployment amongst Locals/Arabs/GCC National will substantially reduce if NOT completely eliminated! .......So why don't they do it??
Someone has mentioned that the reason for Locals (GCC Nationals) seeking Government Jobs is due to Patriotism & DIRECT CONTRIBUTION to the growth of Nation!! I feel working for Labour, Immigration, Telecom, Municipality etc. is NOT the ONLY contribution to the GROWTH of the Nation, there is one major sector which is BUSINESS & COMMERCE which falls under private sector, but contributes much more than the Govt. sector to the country's growth anywhere on the globe.
It is said that Necessity is Mother of Invention, however none of the GCC Nationals have to work for their necessities i.e. Food, Clothing & Shelter, as it comes handy in various forms by their respective Govts. This makes them a "Pampered Child" and gives a sense of superiority; which in turn decreases willingness to work. Secondly there are other factors such as Sponsorship/Kafalat fees & income from Rent (of properties) which comes as Easy Money and thus holds back the locals from accepting private sector jobs. In any Economy around the Globe, most of the private sector jobs enjoy fewer benefits and come with greater responsibility, so GCC is not an Exception. The only exception is the "Pampering" that the nationals get. IF this is changed, the willingness to work will automatically come and the same GCC Nationals will prove to be one of the best workforces in near future. ............. By the way can anyone imagine a Local driver driving a Merc. Or BMW for any other Local in place of so called Asian "Slave”???? .......... Think about it!!
Posted by DSM, Dubai on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 11:10 UAE time
Boss, it has been an endless argument since ages that the GCC Nationals/Arabs/Locals etc. etc. are neglected or are not being offered "Good Jobs" or say Equal Opportunities in Private Sector....... Can anyone tell me WHY the fellow Nationals/Arabs/Locals appoint Expats in their firms and NOT the Sons of the Soil????
There are 100s of Private Sector Companies ACTUALLY OWNED & MANAGED by the LOCALS in GCC (I am not referring to Sponsorship or "Kafalat" Companies here). There are companies like EMAAR, Jumeirah Group, Al Ain Dairy Form, DUBAL, DUCAB, Emirates Polystyrene, DUGAS, National Flour Mill, RAK Ceramics.... and the list goes on.... ALL these companies are owned by the LOCALS only, and have capability to employ thousands (or may be hundreds of thousands) of people collectively, can anyone tell me WHY these companies DO NOT have ALL their employees as LOCALS?? IF they do this, the Unemployment amongst Locals/Arabs/GCC National will substantially reduce if NOT completely eliminated! .......So why don't they do it??
Someone has mentioned that the reason for Locals (GCC Nationals) seeking Government Jobs is due to Patriotism & DIRECT CONTRIBUTION to the growth of Nation!! I feel working for Labour, Immigration, Telecom, Municipality etc. is NOT the ONLY contribution to the GROWTH of the Nation, there is one major sector which is BUSINESS & COMMERCE which falls under private sector, but contributes much more than the Govt. sector to the country's growth anywhere on the globe.
It is said that Necessity is Mother of Invention, however none of the GCC Nationals have to work for their necessities i.e. Food, Clothing & Shelter, as it comes handy in various forms by their respective Govts. This makes them a "Pampered Child" and gives a sense of superiority; which in turn decreases willingness to work. Secondly there are other factors such as Sponsorship/Kafalat fees & income from Rent (of properties) which comes as Easy Money and thus holds back the locals from accepting private sector jobs. In any Economy around the Globe, most of the private sector jobs enjoy fewer benefits and come with greater responsibility, so GCC is not an Exception. The only exception is the "Pampering" that the nationals get. IF this is changed, the willingness to work will automatically come and the same GCC Nationals will prove to be one of the best workforces in near future. ............. By the way can anyone imagine a Local driver driving a Merc. Or BMW for any other Local in place of so called Asian "Slave”???? .......... Think about it!!
MALICIOUS NON ARAB EXPATS
Posted by Shadi Ahbabi, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 09:50 UAE time
No need to beat round the parched bush. The main and sole hurdle to the development and growth of UAE, Arab and Gulf nationals in the private sector are the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community in the UAE and the Gulf who is waging a vicious nationalistic war against anything and anyone that is Arabic in every establishment. Locals and other Arab nationalities can accomplish as much if not more than the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community and are more attached to this land and region’s language, culture and heritage. The NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community insists on spreading preposterous and offensive unsubstantiated rumors that UAE locals and other Arabs are lazy and unproductive for their own selfish ulterior nationalistic motives that have been exposed to all.
The future in the private sector will remain bleak and very inhospitable and for the Arabic youths of this region as long as the doors remain wide open to the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community whose sole objective is transforming the United ARAB Emirates to the United ASIAN Emirates.
Posted by Shadi Ahbabi, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 9 June 2009 at 09:50 UAE time
No need to beat round the parched bush. The main and sole hurdle to the development and growth of UAE, Arab and Gulf nationals in the private sector are the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community in the UAE and the Gulf who is waging a vicious nationalistic war against anything and anyone that is Arabic in every establishment. Locals and other Arab nationalities can accomplish as much if not more than the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community and are more attached to this land and region’s language, culture and heritage. The NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community insists on spreading preposterous and offensive unsubstantiated rumors that UAE locals and other Arabs are lazy and unproductive for their own selfish ulterior nationalistic motives that have been exposed to all.
The future in the private sector will remain bleak and very inhospitable and for the Arabic youths of this region as long as the doors remain wide open to the NON ARABIC speaking expatriate community whose sole objective is transforming the United ARAB Emirates to the United ASIAN Emirates.
where there is a will there is a way....
Posted by Rob, Dubai, UAE on Monday 8 June 2009 at 15:13 UAE time
Wow. These comments are very thought out and potentially true. I am glad to see such time and effort to comment on the issue.... I believe that if we are looking to address the issue properly, you have to look at the problem from EVERY angle. Even though ALL comments above have some truth to them, the individuals perceptions of each opinion is definitely different. I believe that many of the opinions above have different degrees of truth in each individuals eyes. I don't like to share my opinion out of respect to everyone who works in the GCC. I have myself witnessed racism and stereotypes my entire life from many different races, cultures, and religions. I have always witnessed finger pointing and the blame game, and have NEVER seen results or progress when this method is applied. It is sad to say, but in many parts of the world, perception is everything, but unfortunately not very often the truth. I believe that many of us all have experienced the pains of such perception in some form or another at some point in our lives.... I believe that the beginning of the solution comes from more patience, better planning, and more senior management/government "buy in" from the top down. Without it, anything which is attempted, will have limited success, if any at all.... To be fair, snap judgements and quick fixes need to stop. I see it like a long calculus derivative. The experienced and educated (some not that experienced and educated) are paid a lot of money to solve the problem with extreme pressure to produce the answer quickly. Their instinct is to simply provide the correct answer or solution without the proof. They are then asked to teach and educate those for the betterment and future of each nation. It is like trying to teach Astro Physics with a loaded gun to your head and the clock ticking. It is almost impossible to accomplish accurately and thoroughly.... Let's wake up people. Many of the things that are trying to be accomplish cannot happen over night. We all need to slow down and stop this insane rat race. There is no more focus on humanity and our families. I don't even know the meaning of those two words anymore. More love and patience will help this issue a long way. Take care everyone..... Superman !!!
Posted by Rob, Dubai, UAE on Monday 8 June 2009 at 15:13 UAE time
Wow. These comments are very thought out and potentially true. I am glad to see such time and effort to comment on the issue.... I believe that if we are looking to address the issue properly, you have to look at the problem from EVERY angle. Even though ALL comments above have some truth to them, the individuals perceptions of each opinion is definitely different. I believe that many of the opinions above have different degrees of truth in each individuals eyes. I don't like to share my opinion out of respect to everyone who works in the GCC. I have myself witnessed racism and stereotypes my entire life from many different races, cultures, and religions. I have always witnessed finger pointing and the blame game, and have NEVER seen results or progress when this method is applied. It is sad to say, but in many parts of the world, perception is everything, but unfortunately not very often the truth. I believe that many of us all have experienced the pains of such perception in some form or another at some point in our lives.... I believe that the beginning of the solution comes from more patience, better planning, and more senior management/government "buy in" from the top down. Without it, anything which is attempted, will have limited success, if any at all.... To be fair, snap judgements and quick fixes need to stop. I see it like a long calculus derivative. The experienced and educated (some not that experienced and educated) are paid a lot of money to solve the problem with extreme pressure to produce the answer quickly. Their instinct is to simply provide the correct answer or solution without the proof. They are then asked to teach and educate those for the betterment and future of each nation. It is like trying to teach Astro Physics with a loaded gun to your head and the clock ticking. It is almost impossible to accomplish accurately and thoroughly.... Let's wake up people. Many of the things that are trying to be accomplish cannot happen over night. We all need to slow down and stop this insane rat race. There is no more focus on humanity and our families. I don't even know the meaning of those two words anymore. More love and patience will help this issue a long way. Take care everyone..... Superman !!!
Wake up and smell the kahwa!
Posted by Jay, mct, Oman on Monday 8 June 2009 at 15:07 UAE time
Coming off the back of Silatech's observation about young arab nationals not being able to secure 'good jobs' this seems to be another farcical piece that avoids the real issue. In every country I have ever lived in or visited the locals work at every level. For the most part that sadly does not seem to be the case in this region. If you really want a healthy workforce you need to have a dignity of labour that does not deter you from working per se. This would mean that if you are unskilled you take on a job that does not require any prior experience or training or you go about getting training that opens up new job opportunities for you. That would effectively eliminate the need for so many foreign workers at levels that are really not justified. Regarding working in the government for 'patriotic reasons' how very commendable but then again how often untrue. I cannot question Hassan's reasons but several local friends of mine state that the draw comes for several reasons, namely,a five day week, longer holidays, less working hours and far less work.
Posted by Jay, mct, Oman on Monday 8 June 2009 at 15:07 UAE time
Coming off the back of Silatech's observation about young arab nationals not being able to secure 'good jobs' this seems to be another farcical piece that avoids the real issue. In every country I have ever lived in or visited the locals work at every level. For the most part that sadly does not seem to be the case in this region. If you really want a healthy workforce you need to have a dignity of labour that does not deter you from working per se. This would mean that if you are unskilled you take on a job that does not require any prior experience or training or you go about getting training that opens up new job opportunities for you. That would effectively eliminate the need for so many foreign workers at levels that are really not justified. Regarding working in the government for 'patriotic reasons' how very commendable but then again how often untrue. I cannot question Hassan's reasons but several local friends of mine state that the draw comes for several reasons, namely,a five day week, longer holidays, less working hours and far less work.
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