Telecom Saudization picks up momentum

RIYADH: The number of facilities committed to nationalization of the mobile phone sector has reached 17,525, an official of the the Ministry of Labor and Social Development said recently.
The Najran region has emerged at the top with 95 percent of the facilities keeping to the nationalization schedule, while the Northern Borders Region came in second with 93 percent.
According to statistics issued by the ministry, 498 facilities were shut down in Asir, making it the region with most closed shops in the Kingdom. A total of 1,655 stores have closed down across the Kingdom for failing to fulfill the quota rule.
Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ouwaidi, undersecretary of the ministry, said a total of 20,569 inspection visits have been carried out so far in all regions of the Kingdom. The inspection tours will continue until Dul Hijjah 1 or Sept. 2 — the deadline for 100 percent Saudization of the sector, he said.
The official said 6,224 facilities were inspected in the Eastern Province, followed by Riyadh with 2,784 facilities, Makkah 2,768, Qassim 2,041 facilities, Asir 1,711 and Madinah 1,355 facilities. The rest of the visits were in Hail, Tabuk, Baha, Al-Jouf and the Northern Borders and Jazan.
He said the inspection drive aims at encouraging facilities to abide by the Saudization decision and follow up on its implementation.
The telecommunications sector is one of the vital sectors that provide career opportunities and bring financial returns and stability in a suitable job for young men and women of the country.
The ministry intends to nationalize the telecom industry in the long run, not just the mobile phone sales, maintenance and accessories sector, ensuring that no telecom job is held by a foreign worker.
The decision of Saudization of this sector came into effect on Jamad Al-Thani 1 (March 10). At the end of three months, the proportion of the Saudization of jobs was to reach 50 percent, and it should be completely nationalized by Sept. 2.
As foreigners depart, Saudis are taking their places. Saudis are also taking on more management positions at these shops after completing training programs that aim to facilitate their entry into this important sector.
Over 34,218 men and women benefited from trainings in sales, customer services and mobile phone repairs, which were overseen and provided by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) and the General Association for Technical and Vocational Training.
The decision to nationalize jobs in the sector was aimed at improving job prospects and opportunities for citizens, as well as provide job stability, ensure decent income levels, and eliminate “tasatur” practices plaguing the sector.