n Employing 5.2 million women can solve the Saudization problem This country needs radical and creative solutions to create jobs for Saudis. This includes a complete revision of visa allocations, rapid women's employment, instilling a culture of work in the Kingdom, a complete overhaul of the sponsorship system, and training and retraining Saudis for certain important economic sectors. There also needs to be an increased emphasis on research and development and small and medium business growth, so that more jobs can be created. The first piece of this large puzzle will be implemented soon, according to Adel Fakieh, the Minister of Labor, who had earlier described it as a “carrot-and-stick” approach. This means that companies firmly and honestly implementing Saudization quotas will be rewarded. Companies which fail to do so will be punished by the government by being offered fewer incentives. This is a welcome first step towards a hopeful new era for the much-vaunted and much-criticized Saudization program in the country, which to be successful will necessarily have to involve more than just the labor ministry. The employment of women, half of the country's population, and increasingly well-educated, must be a priority. There are an estimated 5.2 million young Saudi women currently unemployed. This is a conservative figure. Now imagine what would happen if all these women were employed? The Saudization problem could be solved in one fell swoop. This does not mean a breakdown in the fabric of Saudi society, it is simply adding value to the economy with the expertise and work ethic of women. Another priority should surely be the complete revision of the sponsorship system which entrenches inequality and inefficiencies in the labor market, as identified repeatedly by local and international human rights and labor organizations. Training is also absolutely vital, not only for school-going youth and university graduates, but also for citizens who lack the skills for essential industries like manufacturing and tourism. Included in this training should be incentives for people to do well. And of great importance, the understanding that not everyone can be a manager or an executive. Citizens should also understand they have the ability and drive to start and own their own businesses, and not just be franchisees of European and North American fast food firms. All these elements are needed to make the plan work. There is no time to be lost because fossil fuels will not last forever. __
