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Discuss this article (4 Comments)Saudi minister urges youth to take retail jobs
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 25 June 2009
SHOP TALK: Working in a shop should not be described as inferior, urges labour minister. (Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Labour Ghazi Al Gosaibi described retail as an honorable profession and urged the Kingdom’s youth to consider it as a career.
“A vegetable seller can possibly be better than any chairman of the board of a big company,” he told the Saudi Gazette.
The minister, while launching the Saudi Retail and Marketing Institute in Jeddah on Wednesday, urged the media to “stop describing these jobs as inferior.”
“These workers are the hope of the whole nation and the media should support them instead of frustrating them,” he said.
Al Gosaibi, who is also chairman of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), said: “There’s no greater honor than starting at the bottom and finishing at the top. It is not an accomplishment when one finds oneself already at the top.
“Ascending the ladder step by step is the real accomplishment.”
Traditionally, jobs in the retail and hospitality sectors have filled by expatriate workers. But with unemployment among nationals at high levels officials are keen to improve the local workforce’s career options.
As part of these efforts about 20 education and training institutes have been set up in the Kingdom that offer courses in retail.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Oh and another thing...
Posted by Hussain M, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Sunday 28 June 2009 at 13:21 UAE time
I thought the US Economy Fell Due to Low consumer spending, High Intrest Rates and uncontrolled deficit and spending,
and the countless number of CEOs who robbed their corporations silly + the hugh bonuses and benifits they made. while downsizing thousands upon thousands of jobs.
THe high amount of Debt in the credit market is also an issue
And lets not forget the biggest factor of all, Goerge W Bush Jr. and his uncontrolled spending of tax payer money for the war campaign, unions have been around for decades and have kept emloyees happy.
GM and crysler had a large pie of income thanks to the GCC, but with most saudis now making little over 6000SR a month, no one can afford to buy a new GM car same goes accross the world...thats why they failed... not due to labour unions.
Mr. Analyst, jsut because im a saudi doesnt mean im as dumb and ignorant as i look!
Posted by Hussain M, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Sunday 28 June 2009 at 13:21 UAE time
I thought the US Economy Fell Due to Low consumer spending, High Intrest Rates and uncontrolled deficit and spending,
and the countless number of CEOs who robbed their corporations silly + the hugh bonuses and benifits they made. while downsizing thousands upon thousands of jobs.
THe high amount of Debt in the credit market is also an issue
And lets not forget the biggest factor of all, Goerge W Bush Jr. and his uncontrolled spending of tax payer money for the war campaign, unions have been around for decades and have kept emloyees happy.
GM and crysler had a large pie of income thanks to the GCC, but with most saudis now making little over 6000SR a month, no one can afford to buy a new GM car same goes accross the world...thats why they failed... not due to labour unions.
Mr. Analyst, jsut because im a saudi doesnt mean im as dumb and ignorant as i look!
PREVILEGES??? WHAT PREVILIGES DO YOU SPEAK OF??
Posted by Hussain M, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Sunday 28 June 2009 at 13:12 UAE time
I dont know whether to Laugh or Pity you Mr Analyst.
but what infuriated me the most sir (or madam) was your follwoing phrase:
( Saudis, Emaratis, and others..you take the job and say thank you)
First of all, dont compare Emaratis who are about what? a total 120000 who are receiving wads of money in government support and ay no bills and taxes and compare them to a population of 20 million with 75% of the population Under the age 35 and high unemployment Rate and have no social security or support.
First of all i dont know if you properly READ my message below.. but i stated we have no issue in working ANY JOB, as long as we are paid fairly and respected like human beings and treated with dignity,
If you love in the UAE mr or ms.Analyst then i urge you to keep your opinions about Saudis to your self hence you seem to have idea about the actual situation.
I stated, we need to have our workforce dominated in all jobs minor and major, Yet what we truley want is our rights and protection from abuse.
Yes Americans and Europians Sweep their own floors, but ask the American Floor sweeper about his pay and benefits, He will ahve basic Healthcare and Enough to feed himsilf and his family.
on average an American floor sweeper in ,OR will Earn 37000 Dollars per annum. thats a 138 K saudi riyals a year.
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-Street+Sweeper+Operator/l-Sherwood,+OR
We dont need LABOUR UNIONS, we need MINIMUM WAGE SYSTEMS that are realistic and fair to the living cost.
"So...drop the priviledge view and take a job that you have the skills for..all cannot be CEOS because you feel priviledged" at this point i am 100% sure you must live in the UAE and have absolutley NO IDEA whats happening in KSA, WHERE YOUNG SAUDIS WITH BACHELORS DEGREES IN ENGINEERING MAKE LITTLE OVER 6000 SR A MONTH..... IF THEY FIND A JOB IN THEIR SECTOR.
you can brag about your Bachelors but you expats are not the only ones with degrees,
I started my first job when i was 14 years old ficing television sets and VCR's and computers, I also tutored english and cooked part time in college, I have a bachelors in building Technology and Engineering and On my way to attaining a masters in Environmental or Sustainable engineering, i already have 3 initivative recognized by Saudi Aramco.
I wont complain i am extremley happy and proud of my job, but when i see some expats with lower degrees making 5 times as much as i do, they come late, they leave early and enjoy all the benifets of having a western passport.
Im not saying we should be payed wads of money,
ALL IM ASKING FOR IS EQUAL TREATMENT... where I can grow and prosper through MERIT & DEGREES AND ACHEIVMENTS and not by the Nationality of my Passport and Who i know or am related to.
i will agree, we in the GCC espcially kuwait and UAE....have a large number of Lazy people who want to reap much reward with little effort, those are the previous generation... You havent met the new new young generation of Saudis...
Arabian bussiness Release a survey Mid last year i beleive stating Saudi's Were the MOST LOYAL OF GCC EMPLOYEES AND were the and 2nd Lowest paid after bahraini's
As for degrees, I dont need to say anything since we have more Bachleors and MSC holder than the entire GCC put together.
But unfortunatley our jobs dont match our qualifications and our Salarys cant help us feed ourselves let alone our families...
Regards Mr/Ms. Analyst.
P.S. If you visit KSA, PLease let me know so i can take you on a tour and then maybe you can asses the situation first hand.
Posted by Hussain M, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Sunday 28 June 2009 at 13:12 UAE time
I dont know whether to Laugh or Pity you Mr Analyst.
but what infuriated me the most sir (or madam) was your follwoing phrase:
( Saudis, Emaratis, and others..you take the job and say thank you)
First of all, dont compare Emaratis who are about what? a total 120000 who are receiving wads of money in government support and ay no bills and taxes and compare them to a population of 20 million with 75% of the population Under the age 35 and high unemployment Rate and have no social security or support.
First of all i dont know if you properly READ my message below.. but i stated we have no issue in working ANY JOB, as long as we are paid fairly and respected like human beings and treated with dignity,
If you love in the UAE mr or ms.Analyst then i urge you to keep your opinions about Saudis to your self hence you seem to have idea about the actual situation.
I stated, we need to have our workforce dominated in all jobs minor and major, Yet what we truley want is our rights and protection from abuse.
Yes Americans and Europians Sweep their own floors, but ask the American Floor sweeper about his pay and benefits, He will ahve basic Healthcare and Enough to feed himsilf and his family.
on average an American floor sweeper in ,OR will Earn 37000 Dollars per annum. thats a 138 K saudi riyals a year.
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-Street+Sweeper+Operator/l-Sherwood,+OR
We dont need LABOUR UNIONS, we need MINIMUM WAGE SYSTEMS that are realistic and fair to the living cost.
"So...drop the priviledge view and take a job that you have the skills for..all cannot be CEOS because you feel priviledged" at this point i am 100% sure you must live in the UAE and have absolutley NO IDEA whats happening in KSA, WHERE YOUNG SAUDIS WITH BACHELORS DEGREES IN ENGINEERING MAKE LITTLE OVER 6000 SR A MONTH..... IF THEY FIND A JOB IN THEIR SECTOR.
you can brag about your Bachelors but you expats are not the only ones with degrees,
I started my first job when i was 14 years old ficing television sets and VCR's and computers, I also tutored english and cooked part time in college, I have a bachelors in building Technology and Engineering and On my way to attaining a masters in Environmental or Sustainable engineering, i already have 3 initivative recognized by Saudi Aramco.
I wont complain i am extremley happy and proud of my job, but when i see some expats with lower degrees making 5 times as much as i do, they come late, they leave early and enjoy all the benifets of having a western passport.
Im not saying we should be payed wads of money,
ALL IM ASKING FOR IS EQUAL TREATMENT... where I can grow and prosper through MERIT & DEGREES AND ACHEIVMENTS and not by the Nationality of my Passport and Who i know or am related to.
i will agree, we in the GCC espcially kuwait and UAE....have a large number of Lazy people who want to reap much reward with little effort, those are the previous generation... You havent met the new new young generation of Saudis...
Arabian bussiness Release a survey Mid last year i beleive stating Saudi's Were the MOST LOYAL OF GCC EMPLOYEES AND were the and 2nd Lowest paid after bahraini's
As for degrees, I dont need to say anything since we have more Bachleors and MSC holder than the entire GCC put together.
But unfortunatley our jobs dont match our qualifications and our Salarys cant help us feed ourselves let alone our families...
Regards Mr/Ms. Analyst.
P.S. If you visit KSA, PLease let me know so i can take you on a tour and then maybe you can asses the situation first hand.
Just a note..
Posted by The Analyst on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 02:56 UAE time
Organized unions in the USA are the reason why the US government is Bankrupt..Yes...Bankrupt.. They have borrowed everything from China, Japan, and the Middle East. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke and the US Congress believe that just printing money is OK to pay the bills. that's why the US dollar has plundged in the world currency market, it's just turning into paper..toilet paper.
The demise of the USA are the UNIONS. Why do you think that GM and Chrysler went bankrupt..United Auto Workers..It's a gisgrace that the USA gave a 55% stake of worthless GM to the UAW and individuals that had invested their money such as bond holders were given the short end of the stick. Unions have been and are the destruction of the USA. Have you all noticed that the USA has been outsourcing everything they can to individuals living in countries where there are no unions so that they actually may make a profit. Greedy unions and individuals have brought the mighty USA to a meager position to BEG the Chinese for more money, while they have their printing presses on high speed to pay for all the massive debt that they are piling up. Saudis, Emaratis, and others..you take the job and say thank you. Most in the world can't even get one. In the USA Americans will wash dishes, mop floors, pick up waste, etc..This also happens in Europe and the rest of the world. Wake UP!! We are in a Global Financial Catastrophe that is only going to get worst. So...drop the priviledge view and take a job that you have the skills for..all cannot be CEOS because you feel priviledged. I am 45 years old and started from the bottom and went to CO..it took 20 years of work, a Masters degree, and a Ph.D., no instant gratifaction boys and girls..get the hint... YOU HAVE TO EARN IT! This message goes out to all individuals in the GCC, "TOMORROW IS PROMISED TO NOONE" grab the job while you can..retail, housekeeping, answering phones..anything that will feed your families. Cheers to all!
Posted by The Analyst on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 02:56 UAE time
Organized unions in the USA are the reason why the US government is Bankrupt..Yes...Bankrupt.. They have borrowed everything from China, Japan, and the Middle East. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke and the US Congress believe that just printing money is OK to pay the bills. that's why the US dollar has plundged in the world currency market, it's just turning into paper..toilet paper.
The demise of the USA are the UNIONS. Why do you think that GM and Chrysler went bankrupt..United Auto Workers..It's a gisgrace that the USA gave a 55% stake of worthless GM to the UAW and individuals that had invested their money such as bond holders were given the short end of the stick. Unions have been and are the destruction of the USA. Have you all noticed that the USA has been outsourcing everything they can to individuals living in countries where there are no unions so that they actually may make a profit. Greedy unions and individuals have brought the mighty USA to a meager position to BEG the Chinese for more money, while they have their printing presses on high speed to pay for all the massive debt that they are piling up. Saudis, Emaratis, and others..you take the job and say thank you. Most in the world can't even get one. In the USA Americans will wash dishes, mop floors, pick up waste, etc..This also happens in Europe and the rest of the world. Wake UP!! We are in a Global Financial Catastrophe that is only going to get worst. So...drop the priviledge view and take a job that you have the skills for..all cannot be CEOS because you feel priviledged. I am 45 years old and started from the bottom and went to CO..it took 20 years of work, a Masters degree, and a Ph.D., no instant gratifaction boys and girls..get the hint... YOU HAVE TO EARN IT! This message goes out to all individuals in the GCC, "TOMORROW IS PROMISED TO NOONE" grab the job while you can..retail, housekeeping, answering phones..anything that will feed your families. Cheers to all!
Dear Mr.Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, Your Excellency
Posted by Hussain, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 17:51 UAE time
Mr.Ghazi, i have long been inspired by your grand goals and aspirations for the Saudi work force.
Yes Mr.Ghazi, I Agree with you, jobs in retail and agriculture and even jobs in construction are the building blocks of our social economy.
Saudis should be in every position from Floor Sweepers to Tower crane operators, not everyone has the brains to be an executive, different people have different skills and talents.
However I wish to ask how can you expect one to work in an environment that does not guarantee him/her their rights??
I am a 25 year old Saudi Engineer, I do not have an office job, my time is spent in the heat under the scorching sun. On the other hand many of my friends are in the retail industry working in outlets, others operate call centers in major carriers, some are even teachers some are marketing pawns for drink companies. We don’t mind working any job as long as we are happy and enjoy doing it and secure in our positions. However... We as YOUNG Saudis regardless of our qualifications or jobs have one thing in common in all Fields....
WE ARE ALL UNDER-PAYED AND UNAPPRECIATED...
Mr.Gosaibi, Most Saudis Are exploited by greedy companies and left to fend for themselves, they are given an average basic salary of 4000 or less, 300 SR transportation allowance and 3 months accommodation that gets you an old apartment in rundown neighborhoods + very lousy medical insurance which most hospitals reject in addition to little training and care from most companies. How do expect a Young Saudi to get married, Start and sustain a family and contribute to the local consumer economy to a sustainable degree?
And I am not talking about high school drop outs; I am talking about University graduates with Diplomas and Bachelors of Science.
While a western expat who performs the same task (with same degree or lower) could easily get paid 6-8 times what a Saudi would make. + Accommodation in a fancy compound + a vehicle + benefits.
Eastern expats do have it worse when it comes to salaries…However, transportation, accommodation and so on is provided by the employer and sponsor and whatever they make has value in their home countries.
if you want A Saudi to work in the construction industry for example, we need laws stating Strict Safety standards in an industry where there are no standards whatsoever & has been built upon the slavery of foreign labor, as you might be aware a dry wall laborer in the states can make as much as the designing architect thanks to his labor union. While laborers here are forced into squaller camps.
There is also the issue of unqualified expats in influential positions who are experts in NOT employing Saudis, in many companies my friends have worked in, they have been harassed and framed, and not even paid their salaries, they ended up leaving their jobs only to be branded as lazy and incompetent & are usually replaced by expats from the executives' choosing.
Albeit, given the chance, most companies would not choose to employ qualified Saudis, and some actually don’t.
In addition, many Saudis are paid very small amounts to stay at home just to fill the Saudi-ization quota, this is not fair to Saudis who are Eagerly seeking jobs.
where Mr.Ghazi, are the laws and bills to protect them from such crimes they are suffering at the hands of corporations run by expats who have interest in development of local skills??
Mr.Ghazi, believe me, i would love to see the day where i can explain and teach my skill to a fellow countryman or woman in my own language, to build this country and carry it into the next century, i would love to see your goals and initiatives realized.
But as long as the wheels are flat, this car is going nowhere and the road is too long for us to walk.
Thank you Mr.Ghazi for your efforts, I wish you the best of luck and may Allah maintain your health and
And if you ever need anything from the young generation in terms of support, we will be there. Just help us!
Best Regards
Hussain M
Posted by Hussain, Jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Thursday 25 June 2009 at 17:51 UAE time
Mr.Ghazi, i have long been inspired by your grand goals and aspirations for the Saudi work force.
Yes Mr.Ghazi, I Agree with you, jobs in retail and agriculture and even jobs in construction are the building blocks of our social economy.
Saudis should be in every position from Floor Sweepers to Tower crane operators, not everyone has the brains to be an executive, different people have different skills and talents.
However I wish to ask how can you expect one to work in an environment that does not guarantee him/her their rights??
I am a 25 year old Saudi Engineer, I do not have an office job, my time is spent in the heat under the scorching sun. On the other hand many of my friends are in the retail industry working in outlets, others operate call centers in major carriers, some are even teachers some are marketing pawns for drink companies. We don’t mind working any job as long as we are happy and enjoy doing it and secure in our positions. However... We as YOUNG Saudis regardless of our qualifications or jobs have one thing in common in all Fields....
WE ARE ALL UNDER-PAYED AND UNAPPRECIATED...
Mr.Gosaibi, Most Saudis Are exploited by greedy companies and left to fend for themselves, they are given an average basic salary of 4000 or less, 300 SR transportation allowance and 3 months accommodation that gets you an old apartment in rundown neighborhoods + very lousy medical insurance which most hospitals reject in addition to little training and care from most companies. How do expect a Young Saudi to get married, Start and sustain a family and contribute to the local consumer economy to a sustainable degree?
And I am not talking about high school drop outs; I am talking about University graduates with Diplomas and Bachelors of Science.
While a western expat who performs the same task (with same degree or lower) could easily get paid 6-8 times what a Saudi would make. + Accommodation in a fancy compound + a vehicle + benefits.
Eastern expats do have it worse when it comes to salaries…However, transportation, accommodation and so on is provided by the employer and sponsor and whatever they make has value in their home countries.
if you want A Saudi to work in the construction industry for example, we need laws stating Strict Safety standards in an industry where there are no standards whatsoever & has been built upon the slavery of foreign labor, as you might be aware a dry wall laborer in the states can make as much as the designing architect thanks to his labor union. While laborers here are forced into squaller camps.
There is also the issue of unqualified expats in influential positions who are experts in NOT employing Saudis, in many companies my friends have worked in, they have been harassed and framed, and not even paid their salaries, they ended up leaving their jobs only to be branded as lazy and incompetent & are usually replaced by expats from the executives' choosing.
Albeit, given the chance, most companies would not choose to employ qualified Saudis, and some actually don’t.
In addition, many Saudis are paid very small amounts to stay at home just to fill the Saudi-ization quota, this is not fair to Saudis who are Eagerly seeking jobs.
where Mr.Ghazi, are the laws and bills to protect them from such crimes they are suffering at the hands of corporations run by expats who have interest in development of local skills??
Mr.Ghazi, believe me, i would love to see the day where i can explain and teach my skill to a fellow countryman or woman in my own language, to build this country and carry it into the next century, i would love to see your goals and initiatives realized.
But as long as the wheels are flat, this car is going nowhere and the road is too long for us to walk.
Thank you Mr.Ghazi for your efforts, I wish you the best of luck and may Allah maintain your health and
And if you ever need anything from the young generation in terms of support, we will be there. Just help us!
Best Regards
Hussain M
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