I don't know how many thousands of these fresh produce carts I have seen around Jeddah. They peddle their wares in the hot sun at cheaper prices than one must pay in the air conditioned supermarkets here. All of these vendors are from other poorer countries in the region. They come to Saudi Arabia to try to work, wiring much of what they earn back to their families back home. Most of these foreign laborers live in deplorable conditions, yet they always have a pleasant smile ready.
No matter where I live, I always try to support local farmers. The money stays in the local economy and the fruit, veggies, etc. are usually fresher.
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the social trends we hear about here about foreign workers coming into the Gulf nations.
ReplyDeleteHi William - There have been a lot of opinion pieces written lately about the expat workers here in Saudi Arabia, many of them negative. The truth is that these workers provide services that most Saudis would consider to be beneath them, yet many Saudis are very vocal about complaining about problems they see because of the expat presence in their country. The people in this country would not be able to sustain their quality of life without these poor expat workers, yet many foreign workers are treated dismally by the Saudis.
DeleteIt's the same here...the "undocumented workers" support the economy. Food would and probably should cost more . Citizens won't do the jobs they do. Yet complaints are constant. Someone once asked me why I taught their children with no resentment. I said that I was honored to teach their children because they were feeding mine. " Western" lifestyle is built on exploitation as well.
DeleteThe exploitation of " cheap" workers globally needs to end. Too much of the " First World" is built on the backs of the " Third World".
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child I used to see pushcart vendors in some cities in NJ. They sold food of some kind but at this point I cannot be sure what kind.
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