RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Mariam al-Harbi is Saudi, and she works at Starbucks.
If you think a Saudi barista isn't a big deal, just ask Harbi. In fact, just ask any of the small but growing number of Saudi citizens who flip burgers at McDonald's, fold sweaters at the Gap, or work any number of fast-food and retail jobs in this oil-rich kingdom.
They'll probably tell you how most of their compatriots have cushy government jobs. And they'll probably tell you how many, at least until recently, have sneered at employment in the private sector.
She certainly isn't.
It's relatively low-salary work, but Harbi beamed with enthusiasm, especially when it came to caramel macchiatos. "They're so much fun to make! It's like art!" she said.
The government's overwhelming reliance on oil exports has recently forced it to adopt stinging austerity measures that threaten the country's massive welfare programs and bloated public sector. As authorities cut subsidies and spending, they have imposed hiring freezes that have made it harder for Saudis to find relatively rigor-free, well-paid employment with the government.
But it could also be an opportunity for the country's officials, who have long tried to get Saudis out of government work - where more than 90 percent are employed - and into the private sector.
For now, Saudi Arabia has been forced to rely on foreigners to power the private sector. Millions of people from countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines and war-torn Syria deliver FedEx packages, take orders at Chili's and greet guests at hotel lobbies.
In Saudi Arabia, however, the welfare state has been stretched thin by rapid population growth. As a result, many Saudis are far too poor to afford Porsches or to vacation in Paris. In fact, many are focused on scratching out a living, which helps explain why a rising number are turning to private-sector employment, said Abu-Dahesh, who noted that the government lacks reliable statistics on the number of Saudis who work these jobs.
Harbi said tight finances at home helped persuade her husband, a government-employed security guard, to allow her to work at the coffee shop, where she earns a little more than $1,000 a month.
So, too, did the shop's location on the mall's women-only level.
These men-free zones have been created to help religiously conservative women such as Harbi work without hassle or niqab, a face-concealing garment.
Money problems also persuaded Abdullah al-Awaji to take a job at the mall's Lacoste outlet two months ago, where he also earns a monthly wage of just more than $1,000. The rail-thin 24-year-old has become the breadwinner for his sick father, eight sisters and six brothers.
He had hoped for government work, but having only a high school education made it difficult to get a foot in the door. Awaji said his friend and now colleague at the clothing outlet, Ali, also a Saudi citizen, encouraged him to apply for a position.
"I have retirement and health benefits here," he said during a lunch break.
Awaji also seemed to embrace his tasks, approaching customers wearing a light-blue polo shirt and a gleaming smile.
"How may I help you?" he said in Arabic, greeting a man who was browsing for dress shirts.
© 2016 The Washington Post
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If you think a Saudi barista isn't a big deal, just ask Harbi. In fact, just ask any of the small but growing number of Saudi citizens who flip burgers at McDonald's, fold sweaters at the Gap, or work any number of fast-food and retail jobs in this oil-rich kingdom.
They'll probably tell you how most of their compatriots have cushy government jobs. And they'll probably tell you how many, at least until recently, have sneered at employment in the private sector.
She certainly isn't.
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It's relatively low-salary work, but Harbi beamed with enthusiasm, especially when it came to caramel macchiatos. "They're so much fun to make! It's like art!" she said.
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The government's overwhelming reliance on oil exports has recently forced it to adopt stinging austerity measures that threaten the country's massive welfare programs and bloated public sector. As authorities cut subsidies and spending, they have imposed hiring freezes that have made it harder for Saudis to find relatively rigor-free, well-paid employment with the government.
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But it could also be an opportunity for the country's officials, who have long tried to get Saudis out of government work - where more than 90 percent are employed - and into the private sector.
Advertisement
For now, Saudi Arabia has been forced to rely on foreigners to power the private sector. Millions of people from countries such as Pakistan, the Philippines and war-torn Syria deliver FedEx packages, take orders at Chili's and greet guests at hotel lobbies.
Advertisement
In Saudi Arabia, however, the welfare state has been stretched thin by rapid population growth. As a result, many Saudis are far too poor to afford Porsches or to vacation in Paris. In fact, many are focused on scratching out a living, which helps explain why a rising number are turning to private-sector employment, said Abu-Dahesh, who noted that the government lacks reliable statistics on the number of Saudis who work these jobs.
Harbi said tight finances at home helped persuade her husband, a government-employed security guard, to allow her to work at the coffee shop, where she earns a little more than $1,000 a month.
So, too, did the shop's location on the mall's women-only level.
These men-free zones have been created to help religiously conservative women such as Harbi work without hassle or niqab, a face-concealing garment.
Money problems also persuaded Abdullah al-Awaji to take a job at the mall's Lacoste outlet two months ago, where he also earns a monthly wage of just more than $1,000. The rail-thin 24-year-old has become the breadwinner for his sick father, eight sisters and six brothers.
He had hoped for government work, but having only a high school education made it difficult to get a foot in the door. Awaji said his friend and now colleague at the clothing outlet, Ali, also a Saudi citizen, encouraged him to apply for a position.
"I have retirement and health benefits here," he said during a lunch break.
Awaji also seemed to embrace his tasks, approaching customers wearing a light-blue polo shirt and a gleaming smile.
"How may I help you?" he said in Arabic, greeting a man who was browsing for dress shirts.
© 2016 The Washington Post
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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