Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Many Saudis working in the newly Saudized sectors such as construction materials, car spare parts and medical equipment shops have praised the decision to nationalize jobs in these fields.

They said the decision provided them with lucrative job opportunities with salaries that ranged from SR5,000 to SR6,000 a month, in addition to the possibility of owning their own business in the future, Al-Madina newspaper reported.

They added that the work environment was also attractive because they were the first ones to work in these professions once the doors were opened for them to replace expat workers. They all agreed that only serious workers would succeed in the future and could own their own shops.

Saeed Bamurshed, a salesman at construction materials shop, said he had been working in this sector for nearly a year. “I believe this sector is attractive to Saudis. I do not care about the monthly salary as much as I care about gaining the experience I want from dealing with clients and businessmen and to be more familiar with the market conditions. I am planning to open my own shop one day and expand even more,” he said.

Khaled Al-Johani, another Saudi salesman at construction materials shop, said he worked at the shop from the day the sector was Saudized for a monthly salary of SR4,500.

He said the decision opened the door for Saudis to work in the sector and gain experience in the field. «This will help them to open their own businesses and be independent in the future,» he said.

Ahmad Asiri, a salesman at car spare parts shop, said he worked in a warehouse of a company that sold spare parts. He was then transferred to a branch of the company for a monthly salary of SR6,000. He said it took him only three months to train for this job.

Farhan Al-Nashmi, a salesman in a medical equipment shop, agreed with Asiri. He said the period required to train for the job did not exceed three months during which he gained the needed experience.

Al-Nashmi earns a monthly salary of SR5,000. He is looking forward to increase his experience and work for a big medical equipment company in the future.

Ahmed Abdul Mohsen, sales manager at one of the stores selling medical equipment, said the sector required extensive experience and job seekers would have to attend intensive training to understand the names and functions of the devices.

He said employees however could gain valuable experience working in the field and by attending the training courses.

Abdullah Al-Wasabi, manager of a medical equipment company, said medical equipment shops were trying to attract Saudis by offering them jobs with salaries of between SR4,500-SR6,000.

These jobs do not require any university certificates, he said, adding that the companies are quick to promote active Saudis who prove their skills and competence to higher positions.