Graduates in Oman have taken to Twitter to call for more jobs using the hashtag “employment is one of our rights,” which has so far been tweeted thousands of times.
Oman, like many Arab countries, has high youth unemployment, estimated at more than 20% in 2013, according to the World Bank. This figure is brought into sharper focus by the staggering statistic that almost half of the population of the sultanate is under 25, the most youthful population in the Gulf.
Oman is not alone, however, in facing a lack of opportunities for its young people. The MENA region has the world’s highest youth unemployment rate, reaching an average of 27.2% in the Middle East and 29% in North Africa (World Bank).
Tired of a lack of employment opportunities in their country, young Omanis are using social media to call for change.
الوظيفة حلم يتراود في ذهن كل باحث عن عمل اللهم حقق احلامهم وطموحاتهم في بناء هذا الوطن العزيز #التوظيف_حق_من_حقوقنا pic.twitter.com/zQKodxGfw3
— بـن نـاصـر (@AdilAlmamari888) January 9, 2017
Employment is a tempting dream in the mind of every job seeker. O God, please fulfil their dreams and aspirations in the construction of this beloved homeland #EmploymentIsOneofOurRights
(picture: The tap is pouring out graduates, while the cup of jobs sits to the side)
الشباب طاقة وعطاء فلابد أن تستغل فيوفر لهم العمل المناسب ويقدموا على العامل الوافد ويفسح المجال لهم للوظائف القيادية.
— إبراهيم الصوافي (@alsawafy5) January 9, 2017
#التوظيف_حق_من_حقوقنا
Young people offer energy and gifts of which we must take advantage. So, suitable jobs should be provided [to them], ahead of foreign workers. They should be allowed [to reach] leadership positions.
Some commenters highlighted the need to employ new graduates in private sector jobs, instead of those of retirement age.
طلعوا الكبار من وظايفهم البلد محتاجه طاقات شبابيه مامحتاجه افكار تقليديه ، شوفوا دبي كيف اغلب قطاعاتهم شباب #التوظيف_حق_من_حقوقنا
— A H O | يا صبر (@AhdAhdo) January 10, 2017
Remove old people from the country’s jobs, we need the energy of young people, we don’t need traditional ideas. Look at Dubai, most of [those employed in various] sectors are young people.
القطاع العام يقال لا يستوفي عدد الباحثين ، بس المشكلة أن القطاع الخاص جالس يوظف المتقاعدين من القطاع العام وعسكرين!!
— سُليْمان (@sms_137) January 10, 2017
#التوظيف_حق_من_حقوقنا
It’s said about the public sector that there aren’t enough job-seekers. But, the problem is that the private sector keeps employing retired people from the public sector, and ex-soldiers.
Twitter users also criticized the way that nepotism dominates the job market in the country:
#التوظيف_حق_من_حقوقنا
— حمزة اليافعي (@HamzaAl_Yafay) January 9, 2017
تكدس الخريجين عاما بعد عام وعدم وجود توظيف أمر محبط جدا ..
لكن لاعائق ولاتقشف لمن معه واسطه.
"مكتبك جاهز ياباشا تفضل"
The accumulation of graduates year after year and the failure to hire them is very frustrating...But there is no obstacle and no [enforced] asceticism for those with access to nepotism. "Your office is ready, Sir."
The recent drop in oil prices has hit Oman hard, forcing the governmnent to employ austerity measures, including reducing public sector recruitment.
The country's latest budget statement suggested that “recruitment in public sector during 2017 will be very limited due to the challenges facing the budget resulting from the sharp fall of oil prices."
“The private sector is expected to create job opportunities for Omani youths, through the establishment of investment projects that have economic returns," it added.
RA
