RIYADH, 26 February 2008 — The King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue organized a meeting at the women’s section of King Saud University’s to pave the ground for the “Seventh National Dialogue Forum” that is scheduled to take place today.
Women from various universities, colleges and institutes exchanged their views regarding the future of job opportunities. The meeting, the fifth of its kind, reflected an outstanding level of awareness among young undergraduates and graduates as they discussed employment and related issues and laid down their expectations.
Many issues of concern were brought to the limelight. The graduates talked about the favoritism and its negative effect in the workplace. The girls talked about waiting for years to be employed although some have graduated with honors.
“The important issue is to forge cooperation between universities and the Labor Ministry to study society’s needs and accordingly start specialties that would actually have a place in the market,” said Mashael, one of the participants.
Among the demands raised by the graduates was training courses for Arabic literature graduates who are interested in entering the media and journalism field in men’s colleges.
Secretary-General of the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue Faisal bin Abdurahman bin Muammar disclosed this week that the fifth preparatory meeting would discuss a long list of themes, including work culture, labor legislations and the role of the private sector in providing job opportunities for an ever-increasing number of employment-seekers.
Al-Muammar pointed out that the dialogue would discuss ways to enable women to play a bigger role in the nation’s economic life.
Another issue addressed was promoting legal studies. Nursing graduates also raised concerns regarding low pay and long hours in this profession. The meeting brought to question the destiny of decision No. 120 made by the Ministry of Labor enabling women to work in boutiques and lingerie shops. Some of the graduates expressed their support to the decision, which was aimed at reducing unemployment among graduates by 28 percent.
- Walaa Hawari, Arab News
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