Readers shared their concern about the job market in the UAE following a Gulf News story about a highly qualified man who works as a fish cleaner (‘IT technician forced to work as fish cleaner,’ Gulf News, January 6). Most readers applauded the hard work and courage of the person, but some said that he should be glad that at least he is employed. A few readers shared their personal stories and experiences. We present a selection of views.
Bookshop owner works as a cleaner
This is the story of a cleaner in my office. I saw him a couple of times emptying the pantry dustbin. A short conversation with him made me feel he was well educated. I resisted for a while, but finally asked him about his education. He was a Mass Communications graduate and owned a bookshop in Pakistan. In order to come to Dubai for a better life, he sold his bookshop to arrange enough money. But once he landed here, he realised that getting a job was very difficult. To survive, he had to take up whatever he got. Now he is a cleaner in my office. He cannot apply for a driving licence because his current job does not pay him enough and getting a licence is not cheap. I was very disturbed after speaking to him. I just hope God helps these people. I wish I could help him.
From Mr S. K.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Website comment
Phase of life
Bravo! You are on the right path. These are phases of life and soon a better phase will arrive. Never lose hope and never give up. I completed my MBA in Marketing in 2004 in Dubai. I worked with maintenance staff; I worked as a driver and many other things. Finally, now I am working as a marketing manager with a five-figure salary. One day you will be a success story and an example for others. Good luck!
From Mr M. Shahid,
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Website comment
All the best
If people really believed that the world will come to an end and all that we will take to our grave is good deeds, everyone would help each other. This world would be a better place to live in. Jobs should not always be about hiring an expert but about training and tapping those who have the potential. It is said, ‘It’s not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years that matters’. It’s extremely depressing to hear such stories. I just wish this man all the best!
From Mr Mohammad
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Untapped potential
This story questions corporations that claim to provide equal opportunities to all and claim to support fresh graduates to build their careers, as their social responsibility. I think it’s high time that companies change their recruitment parameters and start looking for people who have the potential to grow and deliver, rather than people who have experience.
From Mr Shaukat Ali Gill
Karachi, Pakistan
Website comment
Don’t feel pity, be proud
I just pray that God blesses everyone. The job situation is getting worse across the globe. I agree that this story is sad, but at least he has a job. Even if it’s a fish cleaner’s job, thank God he has it. At least he is doing something unlike those who have nothing to do at all. There are many out there looking for a job, but they have nothing to do. For humanity, we all need to help each other. Nationality and religion should not be a criteria. The only thing that matters is luck and being at a particular place at the right time. There are people like him everywhere. Don’t feel pity, be proud.
From Mr Shehzad Qureshi
UAE
Facebook comment
Lucky him
He’s blessed to have a job and that’s it. Regardless of what his job is, he has something to do. There are thousands of qualified individuals who don’t have anything to do. What makes him so different?
From Ms Aliya
Dubai
Website comment
Nationality preferences
It’s sad but true. In the UAE many companies try to hire people from abroad and not cater to the educated and unemployed individuals in the country. Also, yes, nationality plays the key role because when I look for job requirements most companies mention the nationality preferences.
From Ms Alba D’Souza
UAE
Facebook comment
Don’t lose hope
This is an inspiring story of someone who hasn’t lost hope in life. I hope the companies where he has applied for jobs read this and give him an opportunity. Good luck!
From Mr Ferdinand Fadi Zapata
Dubai
Website comment
Wait for it
Dear Saifullah, hard work will never betray you. You are an inspiration to many. When people cannot find a job they often give up and think it’s the end of life. It’s great that you are working hard and feeding your family. I hope you get a good job soon. Hard work and dedication will pay off one day. Just wait for that day.
From Mr Haneef Puttur
Sharjah
Website comment
Worldwide problem
It’s happening everywhere in the United States. Students are graduating from colleges and have huge school loans to pay off, but they can’t find a job that pays them well enough to do that. Also, some people have been working for 25 to 30 years and taken loans to have a good house, car and for their children’s education. But now they don’t have a way to pay off expenses. They are going bankrupt. To make it worse they are getting replaced by younger people at a much lower wage.
From Ms Julia Brennen
Pennsylvania, United States
Facebook comment
Pray for us
I understand his feelings very well. I am three years older than him, 30, and I am so tense because I cannot find a relevant job in Information Technology (IT). All firms need experienced candidates. I wonder how I can get experience if no one wants to give me a job? There are many people like Saifullah and me out there. From Dubai, I have now moved to Oman hunting for a job. I request all readers to pray for people like me. Thank you Gulf News for highlighting this issue.
From Mr Safwan
Muscat, Oman
Website comment
Don’t let it go
Disappointments make people weak but they need to aim high and stay focused. Failures should not hold back your spirit. Safiullah has proved this in his life. Everyone must be confident and positive, one day you will get your dream job.
From Mr Faarid Irfan
Al Ain
Website comment
Nothing new
There are thousands of cases like him in the world. I wonder why this is news?
From Mr Jamal
Sharjah
Website comment
Thank you for helping
Gulf News as now you know I am a huge critic of yours, but I am happy to see this report in your newspaper. It’s not because he belongs to the same country as me. I would love to see such reports on other nationalities as well. For now, thanks for posting this one. It has already started helping this IT graduate.
From Mr Waqas Amir
UAE
Facebook comment
An example for children
I admire your persistence and courage. I wish you push harder for your children’s education. It will be the greatest gift you could give them. It might not give them more money but surely it will guide them to a good decent life. I guess you are not the only one who is underemployed in this land. Luck works better than other employment credentials. God bless you.
From Ms Glenda
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Proud
Reading all the comments given by these so-called well-wishers, how many of you have gone an extra mile to extend a helping for him to get a job? It’s easy to say we wish you all the best and your patience will pay off. But this is not reality. It’s hard if you don’t have a godfather inside, that’s how it works in today’s world. It doesn’t matter if you have experience or not, you need to know the right people to get the right job. I’m proud of him because he did not waste time like many others and took up whatever job he could get. At least he is occupied and earns for his family. What is written in your destiny will uncover with time. Accept it and carry on till something good comes your way.
From Mr Karim Khan
Dubai
Website comment
Not determined
This man has no vision, that’s why he is cleaning fish. I am also from Pakistan and I too came here on a visit visa. But I have a job now.
From Mr Dawar Asfandyar
UAE
Facebook comment
Why not Pakistan?
Not sure why he is working in the UAE for this minimal salary. I think a software engineer in Pakistan is also paid quite well. I suggest he should go back to Pakistan and find a job there. Big cities like Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi have good jobs for IT professionals.
From Mr Ikram
Islamabad, Pakistan
Website comment
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