DOHA: Qatari youth taking part in traditional Ramadan tent discussions this year are increasingly complaining of difficulties in getting employment.
High costs of marriage are another problem they are talking about.
Lack of knowledge of English language and not having any work experience are the main hurdles to landing a suitable job, according to many young Qatari men.
A fresh graduate, Saeed Saleh, said during Ramadan discussions that he was finding it hard to get a job because he didn’t know the English language. “Nor do I have any work experience. Everywhere I go for a job, they ask for these two things,” Saleh said.
According to him, in the days gone by it was so easy even for one who had passed out of secondary school to get employment.
“Now getting a job is difficult even for a university graduate,” he said, taking part in a Ramadan debate on topical issues at the majlis of Central Municipal Council (CMC) member Mohamed Saleh Al Khayarin.
Called the Bani Hajir Majlis, a lot of people are attending discussions after Iftar, local Arabic daily Al Raya reported yesterday.
Ramadan discussions are a popular way for Qataris to keep in touch and interact with neighbours at least once in a year, the daily said.
There are some young men who visit one majlis and then another to keep making rounds in the locality to catch up with neighbours, acquaintances and distant relatives, the daily said.
Taking part in Ramadan debate at Al Khayarin’s majlis, another young man, Ali Al Khayarin, said escalating marriage costs, including the dower money given to the would-be bride, were a major worry for young men.
“How do we organise so much cash even after landing a job after graduation?
“Our salaries are low so that meeting our daily expenses are difficult. How can we organise so much of cash to get married?” he asked. The Peninsula
