Qatarisation: Trying

28 Jan, 2009  Annoyances, Gov, Work

lazy_worker_small1

You’d think that with all this talk of Qatarisation, things would be a bit easier.
We’re in the process of highering a secretary in the office (not ILQ but my day job office). So we started to search for Qatari secretaries.

We needed an Arabic and English speaker, we thought that we’d want to help Qataris searching for jobs, and that we’d be helping the system.

So we knew that the Ministry of Labour had a list of Qataris searching for jobs. We went to http://www.mlsa.gov.qa/Pages/default.aspx in order to get the number (side note, the English section is under construction and it’s probably going to remain that way for a couple of years).

How can the english side not be up yet? There should at least be a basic page so that foreigners can also search for Qataris to hire, especially if it’s a rule now.

You’ll finally get the following number 4841111. Give it a call. If you get an answer, you’ll win… win….. satisfaction. The type of satisfaction that comes with a hint of shock

We called for three days and nobody answered. How can we help Qataris if nobody answers? Why isn’t the database of employees searching for jobs accessible online?

So my colleague decides to head off to the Ministry and speak to someone. He meets someone in an office who promises to email us the list.

After receiving a list of graduates and non-graduates we go through it systematically.

I’ve now read every unusual (yes I heard some names I’ve never heard of before) name and heard every exception in the book.

- I want to wear the niqab in the office (against policy)
- I want my own office (you’re going to be a secretary..)
- I want a higher salary (do a good job first!)
- I don’t want to be in a mixed office (we live in a mixed world)
- I don’t like your company (fair enough… but if you’re on a government job site should you be so picky?)

The list goes on! We finally find TWO out of 100 people that seem suitable, ask for their cvs, they sound happy, and they send nothing…

As usual everything is messed up. From the institutions to the inviduals the institutions are trying to help.

side note: for those that can’t read the ‘about’ section or couldn’t have guessed by the title of the blog. I’m Qatari.

  • http://www.sparkleed.piczo.com Rawan

    Huh?!! sorry but I get no idea about this whole Qatarisation thing!! But yeah good luck

  • http://Hmmm....www.bluepearlsworldofwonderatnowhere.com Me

    LOL – I look Qatari – can I apply *grin*

  • http://Hmmm....www.bluepearlsworldofwonderatnowhere.com Me

    Ps: but i absolutely have to have a bubblegum drop machine next to me *grin*

  • Mr. Q

    lol

  • Daloo3a

    My friend who successfully holds a senior position in the government was laid-off recently by the new management for qatarization reasons…. but no qatari was hired in the position and no hand over requested… I am not against the law – just wondering how will this qatarization law benefit the country if not applied properly by the business side of the house!! is it really qatarization or just an excuse to cut down on investment and hire “new” expats obviously for less?

  • Kei

    You’ve touched on something very good.

    1) Some companies use Qatarisation to terminate a contract early. (There are Qataris who are trying to limit Qatarisation to government jobs only.

    2) Qatarisation should occur AFTER a suitable Qatari is found not before!

    3) If you fire an expat on the basis of Qatarisation, then you cannot re-hire a non Qatari. It just doesn’t make sense!

  • i.love.doha

    I can’t help but notice that you’re making it sound like you’re doing Qataris a favor and they’re being ungrateful. I believe it should come within you to look for Qataris first and not do it for charity or because you’re obligated and forced by a law.

    Obviously they must be qualified and fit to do the job and not just randomly fill in positions based on their nationality, after all you’re also looking for your organizations well being as well.

    And by the way, I don’t think the law was put to get companies to fire expats for no reason or to remove them from their jobs to get Qataris instead, but it’s there to give a priority for the people of this country to work for organizations in their country, if no qualified Qataris were found then it’s okay to hire expats and no complaints will be received.

    I love this country… my country… and it saddens me to see you talk about Qatarization and Qataris in that manner… always remember that there are good (and excellent) as well as bad (like what you’ve encountered) everywhere… Qataris built this country and will continue to build it, if they are not experienced enough yet, I’m sure they will learn… just like I did and You did!

  • Kei

    @I.love.doha, I highly recommend that you re-read the post.

    My post does NOT try to make it sound like I’m doing anyone a favour. It IS highlighting the fact that we must give all Qatari’s a chance wherever possible.

    My post also highlights how difficult it is to hire certain indviduals for positions that they’re not willing to take.

    If you knew anything about me though, you’d be aware that myself and my father are the ones who are pushing for “Qatarisation the right way”. I was also the one who fought to search for a suitable Qatari with my non-Qatari boss to support my compatriots.

    So no need to “preach to the choir as they say”, I’m a Qatari pushing for things to do things the right way

    Again, I really do hope you re-read my post; we can avoid you feeling sadened that way.

    I will highlight the points again just in case you do get confused.

    1) The system for Qatarisation is not simple (from Ministry of Labour’s side)
    2) I described my exact situation.
    3) I try to encourage those Qataris searching for a job to go that extra mile. (To put things into perspective, one person even asked for a MANAGER’S salary for a RECEPTIONIST role.)
    4) I think it’s funny how people are on the list searching for jobs and when given the opportunity they don’t even send in their CV.

  • i.love.doha

    Thanks for the response and clearing things out, at least for me since apparently I’m the only one who misunderstood it I guess!

    P.S. big fan… keep up the good work!

  • Kei

    @i.love.doha, no it’s alright. It’s great to have people passionate about the cause!

    Thanks for your kind words.

  • Ghenry

    Kei, learn to spell.

  • Ghenry

    Every unusual name? Say again??

  • Kei

    sure let me know what I’ve spelled incorrectly and I’ll fix it. It’s nice to know that people expect me to be perfect though :)
    Regarding names, there were some that I had never heard before.

  • http://www.onlyqatari.com QATARI

    I ma not sure how can you publish crap .. what do you thing yourself an expat who was redundant in his / her country and come to work in Qatar as manager .. you need to declare your name and phone so we can talk and discuss your view not on the net.

  • http://www.iloveqatar.net Kei

    who’s your post directed to?

  • Observer

    It is strange that your workplace discriminates against women who wear niqab. In France ok, but in Qatar?

  • http://www.iloveqatar.net Kei

    Why is it strange? It is a security requirement for banks.

    If someone’s face is not visible then that raises risk of fraud.

    You can wear a hijab not niqab.

  • Newinqatar

    Hi Key, I like that you express your insight views that freely. Pros and cons will be always there. But you ve done a great job! Thumbs up! Keep on going.

Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.