Comments on: Saudis Getting Real about Work http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/ Informed comment and commentary about Saudi Arabia, reform, and its relations with the US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:41:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mohamed S. http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18469 Mohamed S. Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:51:59 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18469 @Tom Carter: Foreign workers are about 25-30% of the population. Not equal. Unlike countries like the UAE or Kuwait where foreigners outnumber the native population. @Tom Carter:

Foreign workers are about 25-30% of the population. Not equal. Unlike countries like the UAE or Kuwait where foreigners outnumber the native population.

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18462 John Burgess Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:11:08 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18462 The Saudi government---and large parts of society--realize they needn't wait for the oil to run out before they run into serious problems. That's why the push for vocational education and articles praising Saudis who take 'non-traditional' jobs. The thing that amazes me is that before the oil started to be pumped, Saudis worked very hard. They had the choice of working hard or dying fast. Life in the Kingdom, before air conditioning, before cars, before schools, before subsidized foods, was about as harsh as it gets. That time is only two generations ago. I'd think that grandparents would remember that kind of life and encourage their kids and grandchildren to not take even relative wealth for granted. The Saudi government—and large parts of society–realize they needn’t wait for the oil to run out before they run into serious problems. That’s why the push for vocational education and articles praising Saudis who take ‘non-traditional’ jobs.

The thing that amazes me is that before the oil started to be pumped, Saudis worked very hard. They had the choice of working hard or dying fast. Life in the Kingdom, before air conditioning, before cars, before schools, before subsidized foods, was about as harsh as it gets. That time is only two generations ago. I’d think that grandparents would remember that kind of life and encourage their kids and grandchildren to not take even relative wealth for granted.

]]> By: Tom Carter http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18458 Tom Carter Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:09:12 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18458 When I lived in Saudi Arabia briefly in 1990, I was told that the number of foreign workers in the country was about equal to the Saudi population. It was explained to me by both Saudi friends and a Palestinian businessman that there was a pretty consistent informal hierarchy in who did what kind of work. Palestinians, for instance, worked in higher-level jobs, while Yemenis worked in lower-level jobs. I don't know how true that was, but just from observation it seemed pretty accurate. Saudis themselves didn't seem to work very much. I remember thinking that if the oil runs out someday or no longer brings in enough income, there might be a serious problem with a population that can no longer hire foreigners but doesn't have a work tradition of its own. Trying to instill a work ethic among young Saudis seems like a pretty good idea. When I lived in Saudi Arabia briefly in 1990, I was told that the number of foreign workers in the country was about equal to the Saudi population. It was explained to me by both Saudi friends and a Palestinian businessman that there was a pretty consistent informal hierarchy in who did what kind of work. Palestinians, for instance, worked in higher-level jobs, while Yemenis worked in lower-level jobs. I don’t know how true that was, but just from observation it seemed pretty accurate. Saudis themselves didn’t seem to work very much.

I remember thinking that if the oil runs out someday or no longer brings in enough income, there might be a serious problem with a population that can no longer hire foreigners but doesn’t have a work tradition of its own. Trying to instill a work ethic among young Saudis seems like a pretty good idea.

]]> By: John Burgess http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18454 John Burgess Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:15:57 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18454 If the Haya were to ever have an anthem (!!!!!!) this would be it... 8-O If the Haya were to ever have an anthem (!!!!!!) this would be it… 8-O

]]> By: ratherdashing http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18451 ratherdashing Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:27:49 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18451 This calls for some George Thorogood! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOCDoKsXjP0">Get a haircut and get a real job</a> ... I know. I'm not helping promote a good work ethic. This calls for some George Thorogood!

Get a haircut and get a real job

… I know. I’m not helping promote a good work ethic.

]]> By: Mohamed S. http://xrdarabia.org/2009/01/23/saudis-getting-real-about-work/comment-page-1/#comment-18448 Mohamed S. Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:31:07 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=6640#comment-18448 I believe this also happens in Japan where students require specific permission from their school to be able to take a part time job. I believe this also happens in Japan where students require specific permission from their school to be able to take a part time job.

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