Saudi- TV show helps 8500 jobless

(MENAFN- Arab News) A local television program has found 8500 jobs for citizens and expatriates throughout the country.
The popular Jobs on Air show is hosted by Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassan a well-known Islamic scholar and is broadcast on the Al-Danah television channel every Tuesday from the capital.
Al-Hassan told Arab News that the program is broadcast from the Prince Faisal Auditorium on King Fahd Road opposite the Passport Department. It has the approval of the Ministry of Labor Human Resources Development Fund and Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Other participants are King Saud Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud and Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz universities. Last week there were job seekers from Asir Al-Qassim and Jazan.
'Many local firms are willing to help the Jobs on Air program. We're encouraging young Saudis to take advantage of the offers' Al-Hassan said.
There are a variety of jobs available in various sectors. Big companies such as Carrefour and Abdul Lateef Jameel were coming to the show to choose employees he said.
The companies would train applicants for jobs with salaries starting from SR4500. Some of the jobs do not require qualifications but offer up to SR7000 a month he said.
He said the show also finds employment for foreigners because some companies urgently need staff. 'Many Saudis are not willing to take up some of the jobs being offered. We have now been receiving applications from interested expatriates' he said.
He said the government has been encouraging citizens to set up small and medium enterprises which play an important role in growing the country's economy. The banks are ready to offer loans starting from SR50000 for projects that have successfully undergone feasibility studies he said.
Al-Hassan said the program would run in the Saudi capital Western Province and Eastern Province for three months each.