respected and high-earning careers are usually professions in medicine, law, engineering and education. But few people will acknowledge the importance of other fields like food safety inspection or customs inspection. Government and private sector inspectors have become lackluster careers that are looked down upon by society. Inspectors perform essential functions to ensure nutritional safety and protect the integrity and security of our communities and country, yet wages for these jobs are disturbing low and any incentives, bonuses, and promotions are almost entirely absent. A forum was held by a panel of specialists in human resources development on Tuesday to discuss the strategies needed to improve the financial status, morale, and the public image of the average inspector, customs guard, and security guard. “Inspectors work in sensitive and sometimes hazardous environments without thinking twice about the difficulties they face in order to protect the average citizen and resident. Inspectors have unparalleled loyalty and love for their country which they demonstrate through the efforts they exert every day,” said Al-Ayiri, a participant at the forum. “Unfortunately, the label ‘inspector' has become an undesirable job title because their job of supervising, watching over and reprimanding wrongdoers has created tension between them and members of society. Many have the misconception that inspectors are out to get them when all they are trying to do is ensure the safety of the people. Some inspectors have reported attempts at bribery, insulting language, and even physical assaults and threats during the course of their work.” Specialists in human resources suggested launching public awareness campaigns that introduce and explain to society the important roles inspectors play. They said a more friendly relationship needs to be developed between the inspector and the average citizen and some even suggested changing the word “inspector” to something that does not have so many negative connotations. “One effective way to educate the public on the significance of the inspector is to encourage every man and woman living in the Kingdom to become cooperative partners in protecting our communities. The average citizen and resident should assume more responsibility by reporting violations to the authorities. For example, any suspicions or witnessing of drug trafficking, or terrorist acts, or fraud, or disrupting neighborhood peace should be immediately brought to the attention of relevant authorities,” said Al-Tuwaijri. “Protecting society and being wary of evildoers is a collective effort and every member of society should assume some level of responsibility toward the goal of maintaining a peaceful and safe country or as Crown Prince Naif so eloquently put it, ‘The citizen is the number one security keeper'.” Al-Tuwaijri also called for establishing adequate compensation for any work-related injuries inspectors may suffer. Higher salaries, medical insurance, and compensation will all foster enhanced job satisfaction which goes hand in hand with job loyalty and better performance. “The inspector is the first line of defense in all societies, whether it is the health inspector, food safety and restaurant inspector, safety engineer, customs guard, or financial inspector. The dedicated and devoted inspectors work tirelessly, travel vast distances to reach the appointed sites and often work overtime. Inspectors deserve more respect, periodic bonuses, additional allowances, and attractive salaries due to the high risks their job entails and the tremendous amount of work they do,” said Al-Wahaibi who also attended the forum. Many attendees sharply criticized the industrial sector for recruiting safety inspectors on diminutive wages. “How can we demand that the inspector perform his duties scrupulously and work long hours each day for wages as low as SR1,200 a month? In fact, the administrations at some factories view the inspector's job with such lowly regard that an employee who failed at certain tasks is delegated to inspecting as a punishment,” said attendee Al-Fouzan. “These people are the ones who determine and maintain the safety and cleanliness of the food and beverages we consume. It is these people who seize the illegal drugs before these poisons course through the veins of our loved ones. Surely their employers and the government owe it to them to look more seriously into providing them with a higher quality of life, comfortable housing and adequate monthly wages. The employer should also enroll the inspector in training programs that will help him cope with his job and to improve his communication skills and ability to diffuse arguments.” While addressing inspectors, Al-Tuwaijri cautioned them to avoid falling into the trap of abusing their position and power, whether for their own personal benefit or for a friend or a relative. Any violation spotted by the inspector should be reported to higher authorities and firmly dealt with, regardless of who the perpetrator is. __
