Al-Jazirah newspaper

WE have to think about what must be done after Saudizing jobs in the car rental offices before discussing Saudization of another sector. In order to improve the quality of work in the sector we need to develop the skills of Saudi workers by providing them with necessary training.

I am happy that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development and its supporting arms like the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) are thinking in the same direction.

The issue of working both morning and evening shifts seems to be one of the obstacles faced by the newly employed young Saudis in the car rental sector. It can be solved by granting financial advantages to those who work two shifts or by employing more workers. This way a problem can be used as an opportunity to make extra money and increase profit.

We should know that such obstacles were faced by other sectors when they were fully Saudized. Perhaps the most glaring example is the banking sector. So the owners of car rentals should not talk about this obstacle time and again when we have viable solutions available.

The appointment of a Saudi woman in a Jeddah car rental firm confirms the seriousness of the move to create more jobs and opportunities for young Saudi men and women. The presence of women in these offices is significant as women will be allowed to drive on Saudi roads come June. It will also give women an opportunity to do their works with creativity.

In my opinion, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development must demonstrate its seriousness to implement the Saudization decision by carrying out joint inspection tours along with other government agencies to make sure that the decision has been implemented on the ground without fail at all entry points and by all service providers in different cities and regions of the Kingdom.

At the same time the ministry should train Saudis who want to work in this sector through programs financed by the Human Resources Development Fund. Such a system will help us fill new vacancies in the car rental sector. It will also encourage more Saudi businessmen to invest in the sector as they will have enough qualified Saudi drivers to run the business.

The scene is changing with new equations. The loser in this equation will be investors who insist on closing their rental offices to avoid Saudization of jobs, despite the fact that citizens are actively involved in this business and they are ready to work seriously.

Moreover, the Human Resources Development Fund will support payment of salaries given to Saudis. At the same time, citizens will benefit from commissions, which were hitherto going to the pockets of non-Saudis who were making a good amount of money thanks to hard work.

I am sure that young Saudis can do the same and make a decent income. They can also change the whole picture of this vital sector by bringing about a dramatic improvement in the quality of services.