Dubai store bids for young workers
A government-backed supermarket chain in Dubai is targeting young people in an effort to help the emirate reduce its dependency on foreign labour.
Emirati workers make up less than 1% of the private sector workforce
The sight of young Emirati men and women working as fishmongers and bakers or checkout assistants and shelf-stackers is very unusual.
The jobs are normally filled by Dubai's massive foreign workforce.
Emirati workers in the retail sector are still a minority within a minority.
Nationals constitute less than 20% of the total population and according to some researchers make up less than 1% of the private sector workforce.
This is because employers in the emirate have found it notoriously difficult to attract young nationals into the private sector.
They mostly favour working in the public sector - which offers more pay, far fewer working hours, longer holidays and security.
There is also the issue of prestige. Working in a supermarket still carries, for many Emiratis, a stigma.
But the Aswaaq stores are providing an unlikely setting for a cultural revolution.
One of Aswaaq's objectives is to challenge cultural taboos and popular misconceptions.
Amal Al Suwaidi, an Aswaaq retail manager, said: "We have managed to become the first retailer that has Emiratis not only as cashiers and in administrative positions.
"If you walk around you will see them working in the fishery, the delicatessen and you will see them in the bakery too.
"This has been a real challenge for us, to convince them to take these jobs."
Mustafa Ahmad is one of Aswaaq'a new recruits and the 24-year-old produce supervisor stands out among the fruit and vegetable display.
His bright white traditional robe contrasts sharply against the shiny, green peppers.
If you walk around you will see them working in the fishery, the delicatessen and you will see them in the bakery too. This has been a real challenge for us, to convince them to take these jobs.
Aswaaq retail manager Amal Al Suwaidi
"As a job, working here, I'm happy. Honestly. I like working with fruit and vegetables," he said.
"Some of my friends have congratulated me on my job. But there are some who say, 'Why do you work there? And why do you do that job?'"
One of the main incentives for jobseekers who come to Aswaaq is the company's fast-track promotion scheme.
At present it only has a few supermarkets open in Dubai, but it does have an ambitious programme to open new branches across the city.
"I will stay with the company. I will be able to go a long way and they will help me," Mustafa said.
"I hope to become a manager and God willing even higher. Maybe a store manager or area manager one day."
Dubai's transformation from small fishing village to 21st century uber-city in less than 100 years has only been made possible by importing a cheap expatriate workforce.
But the emirate recognises a need to reduce its dependency on foreign labour - an aim that has been hastened by the global economic downturn.
Financial institutions are required to meet quotas for employing locals.
But many labour analysts are concerned that forcing employers to hire Emiratis through legislation will prove counter-productive.
Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi said: "There was this issue of companies that employed a certain amount of expatriates in its workforce to hire nationals in their human resources department or in secretarial positions.
"But the problem is that not all Emiratis are ready.
"But the programme was not enforced, it was encouraged, even though the government would have liked to have seen it enforced."
Source:Sky News
SA is a country with a population of some 25 million citizens. It is inevitable some of them will end up doing the "dirty work" (well, menial jobs really). Places like Bahrain and Dubai, that have pretty much exhausted their hydrocarbon reserves and revenues, have to look elsewhere for their income. I believe that Dubai at least has diversified enough to not need their citizens slaving away at cash registers. Government jobs are sensitive in nature and that's where they need their citizens. Furthermore a large chunk of these "Dubaians" are not tribal Arabs from the larger Arabian peninsula. Hell, a large portion of them are not Arabs at all ;) This shouldn't and largely doesn't matter but it is a fact. Besides, from the little I know of Arab attitudes and customs, most of them would rather be managing their own refreshment stall than being CEO's for some random, faceless corporation. I have to admit I agree with their sentiments, when it's mine, it's mine... I could never give the same devotion to another's no matter how much they pay me.
As for Kuwait, Abu Dhabi or Qatar doing this, I can only posit the inevitable Why? Do you think it is crucial to a nation's development that a certain portion of it's citizens is employed in low pay/high exploitation positions? Yeah, maybe for a week until they learn how "ground zero" of a business works, but in general, I beg to differ, adamantly in fact.
I think these rich governments should concern themselves more with encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and vision, if they have the means, why not? Arabs are natural traders, every single one of them. It's something they've done for millennia and most of them thoroughly enjoy it. They know all about customer service with a smile, as long as the business is their own. Sticking them in supermarkets is like pushing a square peg into a round hole. Counter intuitive, and their society has already perceived it as demeaning. Let nature do it's thing, there's always a rise and fall. Even if Gulf fortunes never cease, the Filipinos and Indians will eventually become rather expensive. That's when others, maybe even misfortunate locals will step in, but until then, why force them into profane ventures?
Dont misunderstand Baldrick, the sooner the locals are mobilized and contribute to their own success - in whatever small way, the better. I completely support the moves towards Qatarization................. I just know a lot of Qatari's!!!! I look forward to being proven wrong and seeing Qatar following the Dubai and Saudi model.....
... then you need to go to Saudi to see it in action. Overnight the major supermarkets Saudized all the checkout positions, however the previous incumbant was 'demoted' (on same salary) to bag boy to help out the Saudi should he have problems!
I wont hold my breath in anticipation of this initiative ever making an appearance in Qatar!!