Al-Madina

THE following is the story of a jobless Saudi woman. I must say that I was really shocked when I learned about her story. Her husband divorced after she gave birth to his four children.

She refused to give up. She worked hard and earned a bachelor's degree in health services and hospital management. She even got a license from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties after passing the required examinations at the age of 38.

However, health institutions in the country refused to employ her. She did not give up and she started searching for jobs like cashier. But the companies refused to hire her because of her age. She was jobless for five years and now she is 43.

I cannot find a proper justification why the heath institutions refused to employ her. The excuse of age does not make any sense to me.

Even if this Saudi woman had passed the age of 40, that was not an enough justification to refuse to hire her. Many people have excelled in their career life after the age of 40.

I do not know why the ministries of civil service, labor and social development, and health have not taken any action about this woman's situation. This Saudi woman should have been recognized officially and should have been offered a job for what she did. Instead, all doors were closed in her face.

Believe me, there are supervisors above the age 60 employed at these ministries. These supervisors would get upset if their extension requests were rejected. These supervisors should have helped this woman find a job. Find her a job and this is the least you can do for her.