Okaz

Many people wonder why the Ministry of Labor has not exerted any efforts to Saudize large companies and those that are partly government owned. I remind the Ministry of Labor that it should focus on achieving a form of Saudization that is sustainable and not short term. I am talking about these companies because they offer high salaries and good perks. The ministry should focus more on them. These companies should partner with the ministry to develop Saudi workers.

Some might oppose my idea of involving big companies in the efforts for Saudization; others might say that these companies have achieved the required percentage of Saudization. I say that they may have, but only on paper. The reality on the ground is different and the reason is that they outsource their work. Outsourcing is when large companies transfer work to external bodies to reduce the costs of completing jobs internally.

Most large companies outsource work to third parties, which are usually independent companies. They do this to circumvent Saudization laws. The outsourced workforce will not be regarded as internal staff, thus the company achieves a higher Saudization percentage. The reality is that most of the work is carried out by outsourced expatriate workers. Some companies outsource jobs to overseas suppliers to serve customers inside the country. Outsourcing is similar to tasattur, the illegal arrangement whereby Saudis permit foreigners to manage businesses in their names in return for a share of the profits.

Therefore, the ministry should dedicate itself to combatting outsourcing, which most companies resort to in order to shirk their national responsibility in terms of Saudization. The ministry should at least curtail this practice. Saudi youth are more capable and competent than outsourced workers. Let us not forget that “outsourcing” poses national dangers as much sensitive work is assigned to expatriate workers, especially work related to security, banking and telephone data.