Labor Ministry’s social networking bid a hit

JEDDAH: Ever since the Labor Ministry announced the Taqat (capability) and Hafiz (incentive)programs and its efforts to interact with the targeted audience by providing a post on Facebook and on its website with an additional link on Twitter, the move has paid off richly.

The wires are abuzz with constant queries, comments, questions and feedbacks that are helping the youth in their quest for a job. The use of the social media networks by the ministry shows that they are in step with the times, and are moving in the right direction in the effort to get maximum result.

Under both programs Saudi jobless — between the ages of 20 and 35 — would start receiving a monthly financial assistance of SR2,000 from the by the government. But there are caveats to it.

Earlier this month Labor Minister Adel Fakeih, at function in Riyadh, spoke of the program, which is expected to start early next year.

On Wednesday, Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) Director General Ibrahim Al-Moaiqel told reporters that the HRDF is currently reviewing all documents submitted by the unemployed Saudis under the Hafiz program. The reviewing process is likely to be completed before the end of 2011.

However, for several in the online community, particularly those wanting instant answer or feedback to their inquires about the Hafiz and Taqat, they browse the Net to get their answers.

Hafiz Twitter page @KhabeerHafiz, kept posting all the relevant information on the program, including program procedures and answering some specific users information requests.

Comments from Saudi youths from all over the world including those on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Scholarship Program, flowed in.

One person tweeted, “I have entered all the relevant information online. Is there a chance I might have missed something?”

Another user posted on the program’s Facebook page, “I have taken the qualification test for the program, and all of my answers were correct. However, I would like to learn if my entry met the program’s criteria or not.”

To which the Hafiz staff on Facebook replied, “For those who have completed their forms, and would like to know about their status, they can log on to their online file and check their status.”

One applicant for the program 22-year-old Abdullah said, “It is very convenient, I think. This level of communications is a must, in this day of instant messaging and feedback, it also shows the program’s administrators success in assuring a good level of interaction with the younger generations.”