Working for a sustainable GCC future: Reflections on policies and practices

Abstract

During the last decade, the GCC countries embarked (and continue to do so) on massive infrastructural programs aimed at diversifying their economies and creating job opportunities for their citizens. Many of the GCC countries were beginning to realize, however, that the state alone can no longer guarantee or provide jobs for the increasing number of unemployed and graduate nationals. On that basis, many of these diversification programs sought to involve the private sector. But the creation of a competitive economic environment that can compete globally requires bold decisions. Enacting and implementing labor nationalization laws and/or policies alone as a means of encouraging (or forcing) businesses to increase the proportion of national citizens in their workforces may run counter to the noble aims of those diversification programs that seek to establish a sustainable economic and competitive business environment.