Foreign distributors refuse to sell mobile phones to Saudis

HURDLES: Saudis face many hurdles in running mobile phone shops.

ABHA: Since the Ministry of Labor and Social Development started the Saudization of mobile phone shops , young Saudis have been interviewed about the difficulties that face them at work and their suggestions about making the move a success.
Naser Ahmad Mefreh called on the ministry’s branch to intervene and punish foreign distributors who refuse to sell to Saudis working in these shops to force them out of the market, or harbor expatriates and take a small amount of money for this practice.
Saeed Jahash said this is a good decision that offers a golden opportunity for young Saudis and should be used to the maximum. He said his experience in selling mobile phones exceeds 13 years, during which he bore the harassment of expatriates and the criticism of society.
Fayez Al-Shahri said that they need advanced training in mobile maintenance, in addition to support to continue working. He expressed his dissatisfaction with owners of these shops who don’t cooperate with Saudi youths, and without justification have even increased rents, which stand between SR4,000 and SR15,000 a month, depending on the shop, its location and space.
The assistant director general of the ministry’s branch in Asir, Mousa Maadi, said Saudi youths will prove they are up to the job and can become merchants and workers. He said control teams of the ministry’s branch are on location 24 hours a day to stand behind the decision and make sure it’s properly implemented.
In a related matter, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Khalid Aba Al-Kheil, revealed the feminizing of mobile shops during this month, confirming that the project started since the nationalization of this sector.
He said the ministry cooperates with investors who wish to establish women’s halls, either independent or inside shopping centers, to sell and maintain mobile phones. These areas should have all the requirements that make them a suitable workplace for women in implementation of limiting mobile sales and maintenance and their supporting services to Saudis.
He said a number of investors showed their wish to establish these halls and some of them started the actual work by offering financial support to female employees. He expected a number of these shops and halls to be opened during the next few days.