Thousands of Saudis take up jobs in Gulf countries

July 4, 2013

Gulf_countriesJeddah, Jul 4: Saudis are now working in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries particularly Kuwait. In contrast, very few GCC citizens work in the Kingdom.

In 2012, a total of 4,854 Saudis worked in GCC countries, 2,825 if them in Kuwait, according to a report from the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI).

The report said that 3,191 Saudis worked in the public sector in GCC countries, with 1,663 in the private sector. Kuwait had 1,169 Saudis working in their private sector. According to the report, there were 210 Saudis working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 12 in Qatar, 23 in Bahrain and 10 in Oman.

In contrast, only 1,413 GCC citizens worked in Saudi Arabia including 721 Kuwaitis, 501 Bahrainis, 150 Omanis and 18 Qataris. There were no UAE citizens working in the Kingdom. In addition, all GCC workers in the Kingdom worked in the private sector.

Saudi Arabia is considered a rapidly growing economy, with its multibillion-riyal projects and vast businesses.

According to the Global Wage Report 2012/13 issued by the International Labor Organization, there is a large difference in wages between GCC citizens and non-nationals because of the “Arabization” process taking place in the region, which seeks to increase the proportion of local employees.

Noura Al-Turki, an organization development manager at NESMA Holding, said Saudis should be proud of those seeking work in other countries.

“It is positive to see Saudis compete in the overseas job market rather than in the Kingdom. In the current globalization age, all companies are searching for talented people regardless of their nationality. Even though we have the strongest economy in the GCC, Saudis should work everywhere without being restricted by borders,” she said.

“The new generation of Saudis is very optimistic and always looking to have new experiences in the job market, which is why they work abroad.”

Al-Turki said the Kingdom needs more training centers offering special programs for employees.

She said some Saudis do not consider the Kingdom an attractive place to work. They complain of low wages, unsettled working hours, and discrimination by expatriate bosses.

Mohammed Al-Tawi, general manager of human resources at Taajeer Company, said companies must stop employing expatriates for top jobs in the Kingdom, at the expense of Saudis. He believes this has frustrated Saudis, leading them to seek jobs outside the country.

He believes that the "Saudi work environment is unhealthy for talented job seekers. If we have a look at the government sector, we will see there is no competition, with all employees getting equal promotions and equal salary raises. Such unfair evaluations have forced many Saudis to work in other GCC countries, in the private and government sectors.”

Despite the fact that Saudi Arabia offers the most job opportunities for expatriates, many prefer to work in other GCC countries because of the differences in lifestyle.

According to the survey, Saudi Arabia is the third-favored work destination after the UAE and Qatar. Expatriates prefer Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha as the best cities for living. Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam are low on the list of preferred places to work.

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News Network
June 26,2020

Dubai, Jun 26: As summers in Dubai bloom in its full glory, the most savoured summer fruit - Mongo - is getting the most special treatment in the city as it gets delivered to customers via an emperor like ride of a Lamborghini.

As per a video report by Gulf News, the Pakistan Supermarket in Dubai is delivering the king of fruits to the doorsteps of its customers in a green coloured Lamborghini to match the level of its supremacy among fruits.

"The king should travel like a king," says the managing director of the store, Mohammad Jehanzeb who delivers the pulpy fruit by himself and also takes the customers on a short ride in the luxury car.

In order to avail the offer rolled out on the Facebook page of the famous supermarket, customers are required to make a minimum order of Dh100, reports the Gulf News.

"The idea is to put a smile on people's faces and make them feel special," says Jehanzeb who has put a smile on the face of dozens of Dubai residents amidst the throes of a pandemic with his 'Mangoes in Lamborghini' campaign.

The delicacy this year has gone viral with videos of delighted mango lovers taking a joy ride in the supercar doing rounds over the internet.

"The joy ride was essentially meant for kids who have been sequestered at homes because of the coronavirus but adults are equally thrilled at the prospect of getting behind the wheels of my Lamborghini Huracan. I am happy to oblige them too," says Jehanzeb.

"Each order takes about an hour. We do about 7-8 home deliveries a day but are hoping to ramp up the numbers to 12," he adds.

Arshad Khan who hails from the Indian city of nawabs - Lucknow- ordered the 'nawabi' varieties - Sindhri and Anwar Ratol - and said that his children were exhilarated after hearing the roar of the Lamborghini outside their Falcon City villa.

"For someone who hails from Lucknow -- the land of the famous dussheri and landga mangoes -- I was a bit skeptical about the taste of Pakistani mangoes. I ordered them for the sheer experience of seeing them come to my place in a luxury supercar," Gulf News quoted Khan as saying.

"It was quite exhilarating and I must confess that the mangoes were as delicious as the ones back home," he added.

Mango fruit has been a delicacy in the 16th-century Hindustan sub-continent. It holds a fascinating narrative in Babur Nama which is an autobiography of the Mughal emperor Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur.

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coastaldigest.com news network
June 16,2020

Dubai, Jun 16: In a humanitarian gesture, a UAE-based Pakistani businessman has come forward to offer free interim accommodation options to covid lockdown hit expatriates. 

The men benefitted from Ali Rao's housing initiative include Indians, Pakistanis and Africans. 

Inspired by the ongoing efforts taken by the UAE leadership to take care of all UAE residents, Ali Rao, CEO of Rao Holdings LLC in Dubai is offering free shared accommodation to unemployed male bachelors and workers, especially expatriates who do not have a place to stay.

Ali Rao currently has a capacity of 100 accommodation options that he wishes to offer to those who cannot afford house rent. 

"We have already placed 25 such men in these housing options spread across Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Muhaisnah areas of Dubai," Ali Rao told local media. He works in collaboration with major charities in Dubai, who refer the cases to Rao.

"One of our companies - the property management division - deals with industrial housing accommodation. We decided to put this space to good use when I came across media articles that highlighted the plight of these homeless men," he said. 

Rao has already sheltered 25 homeless workers in the Al Quoz area. "We have received applications for 35 more, however, many of these men are due to return to their home countries, so we are awaiting confirmation from the charities," he explained. He has provided them with free Wi-Fi, bedding, blankets, bedsheets, and pillows.

"In one unit, we provide them with food and the other unit, social workers and the associated charities deliver food," he added. The housing is exclusively for men and not for women and families. "Many are seeking jobs, so they needed Wi-Fi. I went to the camps today and set up a Wi-Fi connection. Someone wanted to eat eggs, so we got him some eggs and rice. These are simple things most of us take for granted, but to many people this is vital," he added.

Since most of the residents are looking to return to their home countries, Rao is also in the process of providing them with air tickets.

"If the need arises, we will add more units," he explained. Rao said, "The ongoing pandemic has hit everyone hard, especially those with no security to fall back on. The economic and income disparities have only increased in this time, with those dependent on daily wages being rendered homeless in massive numbers across the globe."

He added, "I felt heartbroken and if I would stand by and watch, I would feel very small as a human being, I won't be able to stand in front of the creator I thought to myself. These are some very difficult times for all of us."

A beneficiary of the programme said, "I am very happy with this initiative as living outside in the summer is very difficult. It's very hot. I want to thank God and this company for providing me with a roof over my head."

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Agencies
January 11,2020

Muscat, Jan 11: Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said has died, Aljazeera reported citing state television on Friday.

Qaboos was 79-year-old and was ill for a long time. He has served as the ruler of Oman since 1970 when he ousted his father in a bloodless coup.

Qaboos had no children and has not publicly named his successor.

Sultan Qaboos travelled to Belgium for a week in December for what was described then as "medical checks." He returned to Oman but speculations of his deteriorating health were rife.

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