Book

Between Two Guards: The Bank and the Ball!!

Abdullah Al-Jumaili

Published: July 19, 2026 00:21 KSA

* A few days ago, I visited a bank situated in a skyscraper clad in gleaming mirrors. As I approached its lavish entrance, I spotted inside, near the door, a security guard whose duty is to protect this building — or rather, the bank with its senior employees and auditors — and above all, the millions held in its vaults. He is the first line of defense.

***** * My journalistic curiosity compelled me to observe his movements and tasks. His duties are not limited to guarding; he may also be assigned tasks such as handling correspondence and organizing and coordinating the flow of visitors. This makes him vulnerable to abuse from one side or another, simply because he only follows orders and because the customer, or client, is always right.

***** * While waiting my turn, I started thinking about the security guards working for private companies. Those poor souls perform their duties amid heat and cold, safety and fear, in long shifts lasting hours. Despite these harsh conditions to which they are captive, their salaries are meager — at most 4,000 riyals. They are deprived of incentives, allowances, health insurance, and hazard pay. Many of the institutions that employ them suck their blood without granting them any of their basic rights.

***** * Here, and because the job of a security guard has become important amid our country's development in all fields and spaces, and the emergence of large entities in various sectors that undoubtedly need their premises guarded, this is a call I have repeated many times to improve the conditions of those poor souls. This should be through a clear and fair salary scale, with a minimum of no less than 6,000 riyals, guaranteed timely payment, and including regular allowances and incentives.

***** * Finally, in this context, one of the wonders and contradictions of our time is what I read a few days ago: one of our sports clubs contracted a reserve goalkeeper to try to prevent the ball from entering the team's goal during matches, with a salary of about 400,000 riyals, while the bank security guard who protects millions earns no more than 4,000 riyals. Of course, 'What Allah wills.' May Allah bless the first and increase His bounty upon him. As for the second, his situation must be reviewed and efforts made to rescue him from his suffering. Peace be upon you.

Bank skyscraper