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Saudis changing minds on doing jobs

They have now come to realise that economic development and growth depends on hard work and not on superficial feelings about what status a particular job lends to the worker.

A Saudi and his family have not only taken up some such jobs but are also proud of doing so, according to a report in the Arabic daily Al-Hayat.

Raed, 35, does not feel embarrassed to work as a personal escort. He has asked his three wives to work with him as female escorts for Saudi families and as babysitters for their children.

"When I asked my three wives to work as female escorts, they agreed to work but as babysitters, especially since I am a retiree and my pension is not enough to meet my family's needs," he told the daily. He accepted the idea of his wives working as babysitters.

Not only this, he has announced his family's readiness to serve those who need their services. He was not ashamed to announce and advertise the nature of his work and that of his wives.

"He and his wives have set an example to be followed by many unemployed young men and women. By doing so, he has rejected the shame culture that causes people to reject many professions whether they are manual, professional or domestic due to fear from the society's view towards them," the daily said.

It noted that before the economic boom years, people used to welcome such professions.

Raed's announcements and advertisements have aroused many people's curiosity who have started dialling the numbers to ask about the nature of these professions, which appear to be new to Saudis.

Others have signed work contracts with him; making Raed the leader of a working team in professions. Saudis were interested in for many years, but were afraid of the society.

"In the beginning, I encountered criticism from my acquaintances and members of my family against the idea of my work as a personal escort to big personalities and businessmen during their travels abroad," Raed told Al-Hayat.

"Unfortunately, they interpreted my frank announcement on this as a desire to travel abroad at the expense of others," he added.

The wave of criticism only increased his determination to work and continue to earn a living as well as face the challenge. He is determined to change many people's thinking in the society.

"I receive more than 15 telephone calls from Saudi families interested in hiring a babysitter for their children on certain days. I started providing them with babysitters, whether it is my wives or their friends. The fee charged by a babysitter reaches SR400 per day," Raed said.

"During the summer I accompanied three Saudi personalities on their trips abroad as personal escort," he added.

According to Raed, the personal escort plans and organises the travel programme, which could be for business or leisure. "I used to travel a lot in the past during my work in the government sector and I have a wide background on the majority of the Arab and European countries, the available tourist areas in these countries and the hotels," he said.

"This qualified me for organising these trips and laying down a timetable according to the period of stay in each country," he added.

He confirmed that all the trips were successful hence encouraging him to continue working as a personal escort. This matter emboldened him to encourage many others to work in this field without feeling ashamed.