The youth in Saudi Arabia have often been criticised for what is claimed to be their lackadaisical approach to good work ethics. While most of the criticism surrounds young males who are looking to enter the work force, their female counterparts have also not been spared from censure by their prospective employers on their perceived shortcomings.
Employers insist that they are justified in their critique and point out to several examples where young Saudis had failed to live up to expectation. They argue that the welfare state largesse provided to the youth during their formative years has robbed them of the hunger to excel and develop their potentials to the maximum. The benevolent attitude of parents, school administration and society in general towards the youth during their growing years have also resulted in promoting rampant indiscipline and lack of respect for time and attendance — key factors in a good working model.
The government, on the other hand, is pushing vigorously for the integration of the fast-rising youth population into the work force. Aware of the pitfalls of an unemployed youth, the government in recent years has embarked on a series of programmes designed to help Saudis obtain employment. The government offers free training through vocational institutes and unemployment stipends are paid out while the youth actively seek employment. The government also paid out part of their salaries while they were employed in private companies.
However, the government cannot absorb all nationals who are seeking employment. Meanwhile, those companies that fall below a red line, as specified by the Labour Ministry in terms of absorption of Saudis into the work force, stand to lose out on administrative privileges granted by the ministry, such as the ease of renewing licences or recruiting foreign staff. Private companies are also expected to raise the salaries of nationals to an acceptable level, thereby assuring them moderate sustenance.
But the tide is slowly turning now and Saudis are beginning to bring down the walls of caution and hesitation in private enterprises. Some companies have promoted nationals and have begun a series of training programmes to develop the cadre of youth, who otherwise had very little to show by way of experience. Saudis have begun reaching the middle-management level on the corporate ladder, with some even making their way to the top.
What then are the motivating factors that have brought about this change? A recent study by the Oxford Strategic Consulting group based in the UAE suggests that while money was consistently ranked as the top motivating factor, there were other aspects involved as well. Among the findings were the following:
n The country and society serve as key motivators for young nationals. In fact, contributing to the country and/or helping society ranked as a top motivator, other than money, for surveyed nationals. As many as 36 per cent of Saudis expressed a close link between country/society and their motivations. The study group suggests that mandatory national service requirements may play a role in nurturing this strong connection to the country and society.
n The central role of the Gulf Arab family should not be underestimated. Making the family proud also featured as a prominent motivator in the lives of young Saudis, with 35 per cent of Saudis being driven by a desire to make their families proud. The close-knit family structure that still exists within much of Saudi society has undoubtedly played its role here.
n Many young nationals demand a strong work-life balance. 15 per cent of Saudis said that they are most motivated to achieve a work-life balance. At the same time, Saudi females are more likely than males to be motivated by a work-life balance (21 per cent vs 10 per cent).
n Youth are hungry for challenge, development and excitement. Challenge and development served as key motivators for young Saudi nationals. Similarly, they were also strongly motivated by travel, excitement and growth — factors they insisted would be instrumental in propelling them forward in the corporate realm.
While the Oxford study was not confined simply to the Saudi youth, the findings reflected pretty much similar results for the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council citizenry with very few exceptions. Such findings signal an encouraging trend as they are not dramatically different from what could be found in the youth elsewhere. Money, job-satisfaction, pride and challenges are universal traits that motivate job-seekers the world over. Country, society and family also play a critical role.
In view of the growing young population, regional governments will be wise to harness the boundless energy and potential of this vast indigenous labour pool in a rewarding path, leading towards sustained growth. This will eventually lead to national security and progress.
Tariq A. Al Maeena is a Saudi socio-political commentator. He lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@talmaeena.
