DOHA: Families have a role in young and unemployed Qataris not willing to take up private jobs, says a senior official from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
“We are trying hard to change this perception (among fellow Qataris) that government jobs are more secure, plush and promise greater privileges,” said Mohamed Al Kholaifi.
The Head of the Recruitment Section at the Ministry told local Arabic daily Al Watan in an interview published yesterday that the majority of Qatari jobseekers prefer state employment.
“There is family involvement in a jobseeker’s choice for a job. Sometimes parents insist their son should get only a government job. They say we want our son in a ministry.”
This is one of the main reasons why the ministry always has a long list of young and unemployed citizens.
“We have a list of 2,300 unemployed,” said the official. “They include men and women.”
The waiting period to land a government job is long. Then, you need specific qualifications and experience to suit many state jobs, said Al Kholaifi.
“We are reaching out to more and more of those who are entering the job market in trying to change their perception towards private sector jobs.”
The official reiterated that banks remain the top employers of Qataris, followed by insurance companies.
“However, some positions need experience, so Qataris are taken in junior positions so that they get hands-on experience for one or two years and work their way up.”
The Peninsula
