Ahmad Al Hashmi did not surrender to the circumstances after his dismissal from one of the oil companies in which he was working with a salary of RO 1,800 per month. He did not care about the uncertainty even though he had certain family obligations for which such a job was important. He decided to launch a catering business with the help of his family and drew from his father’s experience. Gradually, Al Hashmi’s delicious buffet for weddings and parties became a resounding hit in the Wilayat of Jalan.
This is a successful model of self-employment for youths in the country. Al Hashmi’s model also shows us how to overcome challenges of the labour market and how to achieve self-reliance. This is how the youth of the country can showcase their capabilities and talent.
We must encourage these youth by all available means to take up entrepreneurship and self-employment, either by supporting them to set up their own enterprise or buy their products and services. This helping hand should be extended to them both by the government organisations and the civil society. This is the only way to make entrepreneurship popular in society and the most effective method to get rid of rampant unemployment. This is the guaranteed path towards a brighter future of the country.
Al Hashmi, now in his thirties, works from early morning till midnight to meet the demands of his customers – individuals and families – as well as for parties and functions. His customers know his quality and prefer him. This is the logic of the market and spirit of competition.
What he has achieved is not in vacuum. He did it all utilising the experience of his father who is supporting his son’s efforts. His mother was already an expert in cooking a variety of food items. His brother Salim took care of logistics. His graduate sisters find it a pride to cooperate with their brother. His and his brother’s wives also stood with him by doing online marketing for the enterprise. It was better than running from pillar to post to get a government or private job. The benefit is that they are earning a little more than what they could in a job. They also enjoy freedom. They are doing all this from the comforts of their home.
Imagine each of Al Hashmi family members is drawing an average salary of RO 1,000 in a public sector job, that cost R0 96,000 per year for the government. If we multiply this for 30 years, that is RO 2.8 million. By taking up self employment, the family saved more than RO 2.8 million for the government in salary and pension.
Therefore, we must think carefully about extending support to such ambitious individuals and families. Instead of depending on the job market for their livelihood, they not only created their own source of income, but also created jobs for others.
Self-employment and entrepreneurship are the solutions for the problem of joblessness. This must get due importance in policy making. The government when focussing on creating jobs should also think about creating entrepreneurs who may have the potential of becoming employers. A little more innovative thinking in the society and a pinch of government support can do wonders in the country.
