Job Discussion Forums

[trapezius]

Oh man, this is the funniest thing I have read in a long long time!!!

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=96662&d=26&m=5&y=2007

[Cleopatra]

At first I was thinking, at last an article in the English language press which acknowledges that Saudi women are not quite the faultless 'victims' just waiting to be 'liberated', which so many expats (especially the men) believe them to be. But then I read the final line, and thought it a bit of a let-down, returning to the old saw about Saudi women being "ignored" and "unattended to".

As someone who has worked with Saudi women for the past several years, I find the behaviour described in the article to be neither surprising nor mysterious. Anyone I know who has had experience working with Saudis of both genders agrees that the men, sad though it may be, are more professional, more responsible, more reliable than the women, Yes, I know, it's all relative, but there you have it. And it doesn't take a genius to work out why. Saudi women have been brought up in an environment where there is always someone else to take the blame, where almost nothing is ultimately their responsibility. The whole concept of working outside the home is new for most of them, even for the daughters of educated women. Whether or not they admit it, deep down they know that it is the man's responsibility to provide for them (they are often quite materialistic in 'romantic' matters) and that any work they do is just an extra.

Of course, there are many poor Saudi women who genuinely do support their families through their work, but even here, old ways of thinking die hard, and, even if they do work, at heart most of them seem to feel that they shouldn't really have to.

[Queen of Sheba]

The author says they are "not attended to," and the problem with this class of Saudi women, the "liberated" sort who want to work, yet don�t have to work, is precisely that; they have been attended to for so long they have become accustomed to it, and unwilling to change. They have become so spoiled by their male dominated society, and they have had everything taken care of for them, so that now, they don�t really see why they need to change. This is why in the work place, if a Saudi woman does something as simple as secretarial work, she is given the prestige of a brain surgeon. For example, a woman I know with nothing more than secretarial experience was promoted to a position that is held by a man with doctorate in the field, in the men's section. Perhaps neither one is worth a nickel, and that point may be argued, but the fact still remains that a Saudi woman, who can actually make it into work, and who has some basic skills is as news worthy as a man who has 20 years work experience and academic credentials under his belt in Saudi Arabia.

Now, imagine working with such women, and having to pander to their every need because you are an expat woman working alongside them. You are nothing more than a glorified maid in the midst of "her royal highnesses." It certainly calls for a lot of patience.

Therefore it is illogical to say that the women of Saudi have not been attended. On the contrary, its time they take care of their own business for awhile and learn the life skills necessary to becoming a productive member of society. Once that has been accomplished, another reason why expat workers are not needed in Saudi Arabia will have been proven, but until then, rest assured in knowing that in many work atmospheres, the expat women do the bulk of the work while "HRH" takes care of her hair and has business lunches. If Saudis really believe in Saudization, they will stop "attending" to the women, and will give them the chance to learn what it means to take responsibility for their actions - this will be the best training for a future in the work place. When I speak to Saudis about Saudization, its because they think that they want to be a boss or a business owner, so they can boss others around, and the funny part is in women's sections, the Saudis enable themselves to do just that, even to people who are years ahead of them in experience and education.

[007]

The �Saudization� will not succeed until the Saudis, male or females, accept and practise by conviction, and not by law, the jobs of cleaners, builders, technicians, agricultural labourers, maids, etc..

[bje]

[007]

[Stephen Jones]

[Bebsi]

We've all heard and read so much about stupid incompetent Saudis.

We get very little on stupid, incompetent expats, and I mean of all nationalities....does that mean they don't exist in KSA?

[Cleopatra]

[007]

[Queen of Sheba]

On the other hand, besides the fact that some Saudis are struggling with their work ethic, doesnt Saudization make sense - for the Saudis?

When expacts come here, rob them with expensive compound housing, and higher salaries than Saudis, with the same experience, for the most part, then expats are too often racist and prejudiced, disrespect the local culture and break local laws, like it is their right to do so, wouldnt Saudis be better off employing more Saudis?

I dont really mean in the ESL field, but in other fields, if Saudis were in the job, and they would naturally care more about the future of their country more than an expat would, and if those Saudis were just as qualified, or atleast seemingly capable - wouldn't Saudization be the best way for Saudi Arabia to proceed?

[Stephen Jones]

[cmp45]

[007]

[Queen of Sheba]