مديري الأجنبي «يطفشني» !

A young man with a degree from one of the world's most prestigious universities complained to me about the oppression from his foreign manager, and the manager's continuous attempts to "drive him away," as well as his poor treatment of most of his fellow citizen colleagues. What is painful is that the higher Saudi manager in the company supports this foreign manager, even sharing in his oppression, as if they form an alliance in managing a private ownership rather than a subsidiary of one of the state institutions subject to its governance!

Such complaints are often dismissed by their owners as being from individuals of average competence who are looking for excuses for their inability to meet job requirements. This is an easy accusation that some bosses and managers find no difficulty in directing at anyone who does not align with their administrative system, even if that alignment is based on poor management and perhaps corruption!

In reality, administrative or financial corruption has no nationality; it carries its own identity. However, the problem becomes more pronounced when honest and qualified citizens find themselves oppressed by less competent or honest foreigners, all under the watchful eye of the higher management, and perhaps even with their participation!

Although such practices are limited under high governance standards and the precise oversight of "Integrity," the affected individuals are victims who deserve support and encouragement to file their complaints with independent oversight bodies that work to protect them, verify their complaints, and provide them with justice if their claims are proven valid. In turn, the heads and members of the boards of directors of state-owned companies must exercise effective oversight over the performance of executive management and ensure that the presence of foreign managers is based on actual need, not merely to fill seats without distinction from their citizen counterparts!

In the Kingdom, many competent foreign presidents, managers, and employees work to develop businesses, adding beneficial practices and experiences to national competencies, and performing their duties with integrity and fairness. However, there are some who have obtained opportunities they do not deserve, tarnishing the image and undermining the goals of developing national human capabilities instead of contributing to achieving them!

In short, the harshest thing a good citizen can face is being oppressed by a bad stranger in his own homeland!