OMAN — broadcast 20260806 193000 UTC 440 transcript segments Google Cloud Speech-to-Text API (Chirp) + Gemini 2.5 Flash Non-Thinking Data courtesy of The GDELT Project (https://www.gdeltproject.org/), from the Internet Archive TV News Archive. Machine transcription. Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a verbatim quotation record. [00:00:01] media in universities and government colleges because we have [00:00:05] or a minute, they earn, I don't know how many full belief that the start from university is not from university, [00:00:08] it is better from school and then from university, and therefore the person [00:00:12] enters the job market ready and the path is available [00:00:15] to him and he can take it. [00:00:19] So this coordination we started with other government agencies [00:00:22] and God willing, during the coming period there will be more intensive [00:00:26] media efforts, God willing, also Mr. Omar, [00:00:31] excuse me, we must take into account that young people have [00:00:35] changed the way they communicate with them or receive information in different [00:00:40] skills, and these skills are acquired over ways. For example, today someone tells you, "I only know through [00:00:42] social media," and someone else tells you, "No, you have to give me a lecture so [00:00:46] I understand," or a seminar or a workshop. So the matter [00:00:49] I think is subject to discussion in many government institutions today, [00:00:53] that you said young people use social media. We [00:00:57] created accounts, we created special pages for programs [00:01:00] and so on to deliver the information, but perhaps there is [00:01:05] also has a response to this a missing link. The authorities say, "We did what we had to do," and young people [00:01:08] say, "We didn't receive it, we browse [00:01:10] choices? First, failure in and so on, for example." Today you follow [00:01:13] their account or page, [00:01:15] and indeed, we sat with a large group of but the information [00:01:17] so far, honestly, [00:01:20] failure is part of Mr. Omar, we now have two experiences and the information [00:01:22] is almost [00:01:24] non-existent, it hasn't reached. So there are many recipients who [00:01:28] haven't received the information. Your criticism, where [00:01:30] is the flaw? Where is the flaw? I believe [00:01:34] that first of all, [00:01:38] our journey, when we promote through [00:01:41] it contributes to this our journey, of course, we took it out of [00:01:42] person not experiencing significant its governmental aspect [00:01:44] financial pressure from this amount, completely. It is from young people to young people who [00:01:48] has ended. So at the end of this are actually managing the account. They [00:01:49] is part of are freelancers, independent young people who build the content based on [00:01:53] what we have in the system. So if you browse [00:01:57] your safety. the account today, you will find that message for young people, it is impossible to say this is a government [00:02:00] account at all. It is a very simple account [00:02:05] work, but I have benefited a lot from cannot comprehend that this person once that delivers the information to the largest possible group [00:02:08] of young people. This is one aspect, but as the sister mentioned, [00:02:13] this level?" Even though social media is not the only place through which we can promote. We may [00:02:17] need to intensify workshops [00:02:19] with students in universities and colleges, [00:02:24] in addition to the fact that there is another aspect also in lectures and so on. We may even need to cooperate with [00:02:27] learn how to continue in university administrations and colleges separately, [00:02:30] so that [00:02:34] receive there is even [00:02:34] I have advice for young people and a request from a part of the curriculum and academic curriculum for these students, [00:02:38] which is the freelance work system. Excellent. [00:02:41] We have a direct question [00:02:43] starting from after your presence for years in your [00:02:47] private project for freelance work, financial independence [00:02:50] in this project. Is it stable or [00:02:54] fluctuating? Which is more stable or [00:02:57] you are tired of fluctuating? Of course, at the beginning of any project, [00:03:02] to have in it must fluctuate, it is impossible to reach a stage of stability. [00:03:04] I faced many problems until [00:03:08] I started, and I still haven't reached the stage [00:03:10] means. of stability, and I tell you that it's been seven years since I started [00:03:12] my project, but [00:03:16] the idea I learned is that we don't [00:03:18] just take, for example, I used to offer only embroidery products. [00:03:22] Well, embroidery products sometimes take two days, sometimes [00:03:26] two months, and the cost is not high. So what [00:03:29] I am afraid to enter, I am afraid to lose I learned and entered consulting programs, [00:03:31] and these are the things that we benefited a lot from. Consulting programs, I entered the [00:03:35] Sidra program, and it was a consulting [00:03:39] will I continue on the program, and it [00:03:40] right was the one that made a big change [00:03:44] from what it was to what it is now. I used to offer [00:03:46] only products, and now I do embroidery workshops. So I can [00:03:50] change the way I present my product and diversify the methods, [00:03:54] not just stick to one method, I make [00:03:57] of employment in the coming [00:03:57] in my pocket or zero on scientific thinking and dealing with multiple methods. And in this way, [00:04:00] I can ensure that financial stability is [00:04:04] constant. So this is what I'm working on. Clear. [00:04:07] We'll get back to you, but let's stay with Mr. Omar for a bit. Mr. Omar, [00:04:11] you mentioned at the beginning of your speech about [00:04:14] the programs that your [00:04:17] institution offers, which is the concerned body for freelancers. [00:04:20] You are talking about the National [00:04:22] Farraj go with Employment Program. Today, how much do these programs [00:04:26] touch reality? We know freelancers barely [00:04:30] work one season in a year, for example. For example, makeup artists [00:04:35] and creativity and display it even on during wedding seasons, for example, and tourist guides, some of them, for example, during [00:04:38] the tourist season, Hajj and Umrah campaigns [00:04:41] the wife of this during their religious seasons as well. indeed, they are helping electronic stores that have facilitated So how can [00:04:44] you oblige them today, for example, idiot, this [00:04:46] Many to register in the Social Protection Fund [00:04:49] and pay, for example, monthly allocations when their work is seasonal? [00:04:52] I mean, the idea itself is beautiful, [00:04:56] but perhaps the application needs to change. For example, it needs to consider [00:04:59] the nature of freelance work, which has no [00:05:04] through which fraud stability at all. We can describe it that way. It is true, the nature [00:05:06] of freelance work, as you mentioned, is [00:05:10] project. The platform relies on seasonal in many [00:05:13] cases. Freelance work fluctuates [00:05:16] in terms of income. Today you might get a large [00:05:20] amount, and tomorrow you might not get anything at all. It is [00:05:24] a process of managing the system that [00:05:27] is very important for the freelancer. [00:05:30] When [00:05:33] we say freelancer, maybe before I talk, the sister will talk about [00:05:36] this topic. [00:05:39] Freelance work is a set of skills. Among these skills are [00:05:44] marketing skills, sales skills, [00:05:47] skills related to business development and so on. It is a set of [00:05:52] time. One of these skills, and the most important of these skills, is financial management [00:05:56] of income. [00:05:59] A freelancer, we always calculate their hourly [00:06:02] rate. This is a global practice, not just at the local [00:06:06] level, but the general income, we look at the income at the end [00:06:09] of the year. This person earns this at the end [00:06:13] of the year. Okay, how is this amount distributed over the rest [00:06:17] of the year? I think it's all related to administrative [00:06:20] aspects. However, on the other hand, we [00:06:24] have faced this challenge, [00:06:27] young people, and this challenge exists. [00:06:30] And now we are presenting or will present [00:06:33] more significantly a set of [00:06:36] incentives through the Ministry of Labor that are related [00:06:40] to supporting this group of young people, so that the Ministry [00:06:43] of Labor will cover some of these subscriptions [00:06:46] for a certain period. [00:06:49] So therefore, [00:06:57] knowing that the amount paid through social protection is the lowest amount [00:07:00] that can be paid, which is a small amount of 5 and a half riyals monthly, so it is [00:07:04] about 65 riyals [00:07:07] annually. So these packages exist, [00:07:10] these challenges have been identified, and indeed they exist, [00:07:14] and we are working on developing products that suit [00:07:17] this, these challenges. Excellent. [00:07:21] Mr. Omar, you must have dealt with a group of young people, and you are [00:07:24] of course in the National Center for Employment. What is the Omani [00:07:27] youth's concept of freelance work? Are they [00:07:30] looking for quick success or [00:07:33] high income directly, or are they looking for [00:07:36] something else? Freelance work [00:07:39] and I'll answer. [00:07:42] No, freelance work is the opposite of what you said entirely. It's not quick [00:07:45] success, it's not high income at all. Young people are aware [00:07:48] of that now. Freelance work [00:07:52] has two fundamental principles or [00:07:55] two fundamental factors. The first is reputation, [00:07:58] and the second is skill or the quality of the skill you offer. The quality [00:08:02] of the skill is accumulated experience, it's not something that happens overnight. [00:08:05] A person cannot say that I am a professional or I am skilled [00:08:09] overnight. No, it takes months and sometimes seven years [00:08:20] to build a reputation. So this experience, in addition to [00:08:23] reputation, is what increases [00:08:26] the number of clients you have or your client base. [00:08:30] So it's completely the opposite. Freelance work is not an easy [00:08:33] path at all. It depends [00:08:37] directly on self-commitment to developing the skills [00:08:40] you possess as a person. It is [00:08:44] not a path [00:08:46] similar to or an alternative to a traditional job. These are two completely separate [00:08:50] paths. In a traditional job, the path for a person is clear, [00:08:54] that in five years, where will I be, and in ten years, where will I be. [00:08:57] Freelance work is completely different. Freelance work depends on the effort [00:09:01] you put in, the number of hours you put in, [00:09:04] and also depends on continuous development of the skills you possess [00:09:07] as a person. Excellent. Juhaina, [00:09:11] freelance work can indeed be an alternative to a traditional [00:09:14] job, but if Juhaina was offered a job at the present [00:09:18] time in exchange for leaving freelance work after seven [00:09:21] years, what would you choose? [00:09:25] Uh, well, I'll tell you my opinion, for example, with all [00:09:28] honesty. Yes, in any project, [00:09:31] you need, the more you want your project to develop more, [00:09:35] it needs capital [00:09:38] more. So I know that this work needs [00:09:42] this, for example, this thing needs money, I, for example, don't want [00:09:46] to go, for example, take loans with interest or [00:09:49] take things like that. So what I want [00:09:53] is a job. I want to go to a job [00:09:55] so that I make sure that it has reached [00:09:59] a stage where it is self-sufficient. Excellent, and freelance work [00:10:02] will complement your job. Yes, [00:10:06] so that I see that my project is stable and consistent [00:10:09] and brings me the income I want, then I can [00:10:12] Excellent, excellent. Yes. Today, the discussion about freelance [00:10:16] work, I think, is a passionate [00:10:19] one, because we have seen many success stories, [00:10:23] especially in creative fields or digital fields. [00:10:27] For example, those working or interested [00:10:30] in visual designs, for example, or people [00:10:33] working in photography or editing, and the Ministry of Information, the Ministry [00:10:37] of Information has a unique experience also in adopting this segment of people. [00:10:41] So content creation is also a promising field, and [00:10:44] there are people who work by the second, their calculation is by the second. [00:10:48] And they have become, their work has exceeded [00:10:51] the borders of the homeland and has extended to global reach also through cooperation. [00:10:55] And also today, a person who is just a logo designer sells these [00:10:59] logos globally also through some of the international platforms available. [00:11:03] So there are success stories, but [00:11:06] what we should not overlook, Fatiha, and also the dear viewers [00:11:10] and our esteemed guests, is that there are experiences of failure or experiences [00:11:13] that failed in freelance work or independent work. I will [00:11:17] ask Sheikha now, what [00:11:19] is the extended psychological impact [00:11:23] as a result of the failure of a freelance work experience, especially [00:11:26] from what you have seen among Omani youth? How did this affect [00:11:30] their self-confidence or even their future [00:11:35] freelance work, the person who feels [00:11:38] this pain the most is the person himself. Why? Because [00:11:42] he has no one to blame. He can't say, [00:11:45] "My manager didn't give me the right decision," or "My team didn't [00:11:49] work." You are the first and last person responsible for this [00:11:53] work. So the most pain he feels [00:11:55] is the business owner himself. He is the one who works in it. [00:11:59] So here we have a we can say a difficult [00:12:03] curve or turning point [00:12:06] for the person if he is not truly aware. He might say, "I won't [00:12:09] repeat this experience, and I failed and cannot succeed [00:12:13] again, and I cannot repeat this experience, and I will [00:12:17] go look for any job anywhere, even if its salary is less than what [00:12:20] he was earning in freelance work by multiples." Withdrawal is the [00:12:24] easier option. Complete withdrawal to the point that you [00:12:29] worked freelance. You would say, "How [00:12:33] could he have worked freelance if with the first setback he reached [00:12:38] we, before entering freelance work, are [00:12:41] sure that the first step you will pass through before [00:12:45] succeeding is that you will fail. And this [00:12:48] failure is not a bad thing. This failure will [00:12:51] teach you an experience, whether you didn't manage your time or [00:12:55] didn't have the right skill. Or perhaps today we see [00:12:58] that the Omani market is full of creativity. [00:13:02] Every entity offers you, mashallah, brilliant [00:13:05] minds and innovative products or services. [00:13:08] So today, when you want to enter the freelance [00:13:11] market, you must have something innovative or something [00:13:15] that distinguishes you from others. So were these things taken into [00:13:18] account? You find that with the first setback, he says no. [00:13:21] And honestly, I want Mr. [00:13:25] Omar to adopt the failures of Omani [00:13:28] youth and provide them with a solution. First, from the [00:13:32] beginning, study what is the cause of this person's failure. Yes. [00:13:36] What do you think if we continue this enjoyable discussion and this point specifically, God willing, [00:13:39] but let's watch this video about the obstacles to freelance [00:13:42] work in the Sultanate of Oman. First [00:13:46] thing is fear. He is afraid to enter a new [00:13:49] experience. For example, I have 3,000 or 5,000. [00:13:54] this amount. I collected it over 10 years. And the second [00:13:57] thing is there is no awareness. He has no awareness that [00:14:01] if I open this door, [00:14:05] path or not? The third thing is that he mixes with negative [00:14:09] people, a lot of negative energy. I contact this person, he [00:14:12] lost. I contact this person, he lost. The energy accumulates, [00:14:15] and I think, "Should I keep the money in my pocket or [00:14:19] should I risk it?" Three [00:14:22] the left. I should ask more than [00:14:25] one person. I look for someone who has positive energy. I sit with them. A smart [00:14:29] person or a person who has good business does not choose negative people. [00:14:32] I mingle with people, I set aside one day from my time to walk [00:14:36] with a successful person. I benefit from them, even if it's for money. [00:14:39] I am willing, as Jaifar, I am willing to pay money to sit with a successful [00:14:43] person. Why? Because their time is not free. The experience [00:14:47] they have for 20 years teaches them how to develop their skills. So I buy the time [00:14:51] they have so that I learn how to utilize my time, how not to be afraid. [00:14:55] How to develop my energies and gain new knowledge from them, because [00:14:58] they have experienced this. They were in my place, and then they became [00:15:02] better, and I can be like them. There is no difference between me [00:15:05] and them. The important thing is that I am not afraid and I try, but [00:15:08] I have to do a study. ideas start with great [00:15:12] enthusiasm, but the real problem is not the existence of the idea, but rather knowing [00:15:16] the right path to turn it into a successful project. And here came the idea [00:15:20] of Tadreej. It is not just a digital platform, but a smart journey [00:15:23] that accompanies the user step by step. The platform's identity [00:15:27] is based on the concept that success does not happen all at [00:15:30] once, but happens gradually from a simple idea to a complete [00:15:35] artificial intelligence to create a customized roadmap [00:15:39] based on the project idea, and divides the user's journey into [00:15:42] clear and organized stages that include goals, tasks, [00:15:46] and appropriate recommendations for each stage. The platform also offers [00:15:49] an opportunity for business owners to showcase their services to help [00:15:53] the user in their journey, in addition to suggesting the most important free [00:15:57] and paid lessons based on each stage. And the most important point [00:16:01] finally, Tadreej platform will be the link between aspiring entrepreneurs [00:16:05] and government and private [00:16:07] institutions. [00:16:12] Definitely, the discussion continues about [00:16:15] Omani youth and their concept of freelance work in the Youth Talk [00:16:19] program. Ms. Shaikha, you had a comment earlier [00:16:23] about dealing with cases of setback [00:16:27] that Omani youth face in freelance work. [00:16:30] And you reminded me of an Omani proverb that says, "He who does not [00:16:33] fall gets lost," because falling can sometimes [00:16:37] be an experience to success. Certainly, Mr. Omar [00:16:42] issue, and we are talking about the setbacks [00:16:45] of Omani youth in freelance work. Where does the problem lie, and how [00:16:48] do you help them after this experience that can even affect them [00:16:52] psychologically? True, it is as [00:16:54] you mentioned, [00:16:58] the experience. [00:17:00] The person only needs the necessary [00:17:04] training to prepare them to enter [00:17:08] the freelance work system. We have trained a large number of individuals over the past [00:17:12] years. Also, there are other programs through other government entities [00:17:15] such as the Youth Center that have adopted a number of programs that [00:17:19] support freelancers. [00:17:21] Failure, as we [00:17:23] agreed, I think, [00:17:26] the experience. The person only [00:17:29] needs the necessary training. [00:17:33] They need a training program that teaches them how to deal with [00:17:36] this type of [00:17:40] challenges. Once [00:17:42] they master it and understand [00:17:45] and grasp the idea behind [00:17:48] the freelance work system, not just at the local level, but even at the global level, then they [00:17:52] will be psychologically ready for this [00:17:55] type of, or even simple guidance. Exactly, [00:18:01] universities and colleges that must adopt this type [00:18:04] of training. [00:18:08] The person in their studies must [00:18:11] the necessary training [00:18:14] to face such challenges. Also, [00:18:18] if I may add something as someone who worked freelance, [00:18:21] sometimes we face obstacles or during [00:18:25] the work period, the thing that helped me, as Juhaina, for example, is to [00:18:29] find the right people to consult. Many [00:18:33] people don't find this, they don't find people to consult at these [00:18:36] times. So it's good [00:18:39] your work entity certain people we can [00:18:42] consult, whether by phone or by any other [00:18:47] Excellent. Indeed, [00:18:51] the conversation is enjoyable with you, especially [00:18:54] on a very interesting topic, the concept of freelance work. I don't know if Haitham [00:18:58] is thinking about it in the future. Honestly, [00:19:01] I have experienced freelance work, as I am a worker in the media field, which is [00:19:05] a creative and artistic field. [00:19:08] I had experiences in voice acting and photography, even before I [00:19:12] became a broadcaster. Excellent. So before the job, and I used to [00:19:15] earn, and I say it now live, I sometimes earned more than [00:19:19] what I earned in one month from my salary. This is a benefit [00:19:22] of learning skills. Today, if [00:19:26] you notice, the concept of future skills has spread, [00:19:29] indeed, creative skills that involve [00:19:32] modern technologies and devices. So I expect [00:19:35] that in the future, it is indeed possible that [00:19:39] the number of freelancers will be more than [00:19:42] employees, and this is, I think, a trend in [00:19:46] European countries now. In some European countries, the number [00:19:49] of employees is limited, while the number of freelancers has become [00:19:53] more than the number of employees. And if you agree with me, perhaps you [00:19:56] have also seen experiences in your fields, even in the field of tailoring, we see, [00:20:00] for example, some experiences from America or Western countries also, or even Eastern [00:20:03] countries, people who are freelancers, not affiliated with any [00:20:07] institution, not affiliated with any company, but they offer their work [00:20:14] this matter today. So [00:20:17] in the field and have a name for themselves, even though they are one [00:20:20] person working, not part of a team. Yes, [00:20:24] we can say, Haitham, that with the click of a button, I can [00:20:28] earn money and earn profits behind [00:20:30] screens, behind projects that come from [00:20:33] skill. This is a bit scary, this click of a button [00:20:37] is scary. This is the entry point [00:20:41] enters. It is up to the individual's awareness, isn't it, [00:20:45] Ms. Shaikha? Indeed, there are people who are freelancers [00:20:48] in the same situation as us now, in front of a smartphone [00:20:52] screen, and perhaps in a second [00:20:55] riyals. They might even be asleep, and their stocks [00:20:59] are rising. They earn more than a person who is awake and working [00:21:02] a normal shift, completely stuck in traffic. There is [00:21:06] a freelance platform called Upwork. This [00:21:09] is an American platform. The number [00:21:12] of freelancers on this platform reaches 20 million people. [00:21:16] The number of opportunities is 3 million opportunities. And indeed, it's a click of a button. [00:21:20] You go to this platform and post the opportunity [00:21:23] you need or the work you need. Thousands [00:21:26] of people apply [00:21:28] for this opportunity. They trade almost more than a billion [00:21:32] dollars annually through this platform. We are talking about scary [00:21:36] numbers. Yes, in general, freelance work [00:21:39] today, we are talking about 47% of human resources [00:21:42] worldwide are freelancers. 47%. We are talking about half of the workers [00:21:46] worldwide. Yes, absolutely, and this percentage [00:21:50] truly makes us think why the world is heading [00:21:54] towards this field, what changes have [00:21:57] occurred? Therefore, we can conclude that there have indeed been [00:22:01] radical economic changes occurring, which is why [00:22:04] governments have adopted systems like freelance [00:22:08] work systems. [00:22:11] The numbers are very large. [00:22:14] Freelance work has become a complete economic system. Freelance [00:22:17] work platforms have become a complete economic system, called the Gig [00:22:20] Economy, or the freelance platforms economy. The size [00:22:23] of the economy is more than approximately [00:22:27] more than 500 billion dollars annually. Omar, the numbers are very [00:22:31] important and the discussion is very interesting, but our director Salem Jaaboub says [00:22:34] that the program time [00:22:38] interesting, beneficial and enriching discussion with you, I would like to hear [00:22:41] from you a final [00:22:45] not exceeding 15 seconds. Let's start with [00:22:48] Juhaina. I just want to clarify that [00:22:51] yes, we are moving towards freelance [00:22:55] various places. I have trained in more than one institution, perhaps [00:22:58] more than 10 institutions in Oman. But [00:23:02] the institution teaches you discipline and teaches you continuity. [00:23:05] So I benefited from it for my freelance work. I won't say that [00:23:09] freelance work is a good project, but at [00:23:11] the beginning, at the beginning, it's very important to be humble so you can [00:23:17] your work. Allow me to steal 30 seconds from you. Go ahead. [00:23:20] Briefly, because [00:23:24] the concerned authorities. Go ahead. I'll start with the request to the concerned authorities. [00:23:28] We need an incubating environment for freelance work, [00:23:33] guidance and practical training and real [00:23:37] opportunities, from the lowest requirement to the highest. [00:23:41] This is the first request to the concerned authority. As for the youth, I would like to offer [00:23:44] them advice. I know that [00:23:47] embellished words and idealistic [00:23:50] talk. I offer you today a message from my heart, [00:23:53] and I am sure it will reach your hearts through [00:23:57] the Youth Talk program, that each [00:24:00] of us, I mean, who is in this [00:24:04] world, has a certain skill. Believe [00:24:07] in yourself, believe in the skill you have, work on it, and as soon [00:24:11] as you believe in yourself, everyone will believe in you. But no one will [00:24:14] believe in you if you don't discover it. May God bless you. Mr. [00:24:17] Omar. I [00:24:25] think the most important thing is that today we accept different [00:24:28] and varied opinions, and this is the idea of this table and the [00:24:32] Youth Talk program, Fatiha. Indeed, Haitham, it is certainly a transparent [00:24:35] discussion, and thanks to the guests of our episode today, [00:24:39] Omani youth and the concept of freelance work, and certainly freelance work [00:24:43] may be the future [00:24:47] years. Jobs will disappear. [00:24:50] And they will disappear due to freelance work. Even [00:24:53] our jobs may disappear. These are expectations. No, they have already started to disappear. [00:24:57] Come with us and let's work in groups. We, [00:25:00] of course, conclude with you, our listeners and viewers, [00:25:04] and our followers on Oman TV to the end of this episode [00:25:08] of Youth Talk, but always [00:25:11] and forever, youth discussions continue and extend, and the biggest [00:25:15] challenge remains the maturity and awareness of youth and their knowledge [00:25:18] of their issues and various [00:25:20] interests. We will meet you, God willing, in future appointments, and until then, [00:25:24] be well. Goodbye. Goodbye, in God's care.