Unskilled foreign workers ‘hurt prospects of talented citizens’

RIYADH: Nidal Radwan, chairman of the National Committee for Labor (NCL), says that unskilled foreign workers are harming the careers of talented Saudi nationals.
He charged that expat workers accepted lower salaries so that they are chosen by employers, hurting the prospects of citizens expecting better pay scales.
He, however, said that adoption of modern technology in various sectors of the Kingdom could help cut the demand for unskilled foreign workers.
Technological expansion increases job opportunities and salaries for Saudi nationals, he said.
The recent establishment of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) will support the private sector, he added.
The authority will help the small and medium enterprises grow by standardizing systems and eliminating problems to encourage local entrepreneurs to invest in this sector, Radwan said.
He said that Saudi workers prefer government sector over private firms, which is considered attractive to foreign employees.
“There is a need to change the outlook of Saudi citizens, so that they could be encouraged to seek jobs in the private sector,” he said. The chairman said that competitive rates that match modern needs and trends could increase their interest in private sector jobs.
While calling for reasonable working hours, Radwan criticized the 48-hour work rule.
A genuine business environment that provides job security and health insurance would make private sector careers more attractive for Saudi nationals, he pointed out.
Saudi youth are full of enthusiasm. They are keen to succeed by excelling in their jobs, he said.