Muaqibs in the past were hired to complete paperwork for people who do not have the time or cannot stand in long lines to get their documents stamped.
They charge between SR200 to SR500 per application depending on the service.
A person in most cases does not need to hire a muaqib to fill out an application as it is easily done through the Internet.
In the past, people used to stand in long lines inside the Traffic Department in order to pay a fine before renewing their driving license.
Now it can be done on the department’s website or by making a phone call. The same applies to more complicated procedures, such as obtaining a visitor’s visa.
The e-government program was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2004 (1424H).
It aimed to streamline government services on an online platform to speed up transactions among government organizations and between departments and customers and businesses. Nowadays, e-government programs are used in most Saudi institutions such as universities, passport offices, ministries and traffic management. A number of muaqibs fear for their futures, claiming that the e-government revolution has had an adverse effect on their business.
Others say that their businesses are still thriving, as many people still do not know how to use the online services.
Abdullah Al-Ansari, a Saudi who has been a muaqib for over 20 years, said his business declined by half thanks to the e-government service. “Most people are now able to finish their paperwork online and they do not need our services like they used to in the past,” he said.
“There are still a good number of people who are still hiring us because they do not have the time to do it themselves, especially elders and women. People still believe that we know how to finish paperwork quickly using our channels inside the government departments.”
He said that the e-government system has helped in completing a large amount of government paperwork, but it has not been without its problems. “Such problems work to our advantage and people come for our help. I still believe that our role is important and we can come in handy, especially during the month of Ramadan and Haj.”
Ibrahim Ali, another muaqib working for a private construction company, agrees that flaws with the e-government program can work in their favor.
“Most of the governmental bodies have started using the e-government programs, but these programs have led to an increase in mistakes in applications. Correcting the mistakes cannot be done easily,” he said.
“This has forced people to come to us so we can follow up the issue and correct the mistakes. It takes a long time to rectify errors, and we are paid according to how much work we have to do.”
He added that the muaqib will never die out as there are people who prefer to complete their paperwork the old-fashioned way, mainly because they do not know how to use the Internet.
“The ATM machine can be used to deposit money but there are still people who prefer to talk to the cashier on the other side of the window,” he said.
Saudi muaqib Mohammed Al-Derawish is another who has complained of the adverse effect on his business due to the e-government service.
“In the past we could finish certain jobs within a few hours and receive a high payment,” said Al-Derawish.
“After the implementation of the e-government program, many muaqibs reduced their fees because they wanted to attract as many customers as possible. In the past we were receiving SR500 for finishing one document. Now we only charge around SR200, or even less.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Diana Al-Jassem
Quelle/Source: Arab News, 16.07.2010
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