The Ministry of Labor 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 an expatriate worker.
Ministry spokesman Khaled bin Abdulaziz Abalkhail pointed out that the decision to Saudize the above mentioned sectors came into effect on March 10, giving employers and expatriate workers six months to correct their status.
After the end of three months, the entire mobile phone industry has to recruit 50 percent Saudi employees by June 6. And starting Sept. 3, all employees have to be Saudi, he said.
The spokesman said that all parties involved have agreed on the total nationalization of the telecom sector and its professions including jobs in cell phone shops, accounting, marketing and clerical work.
Mega shops with multiple departments are required to have a separate section for mobile phone sales, maintenance and accessories where Saudi workers are exclusively allowed to work, he said.
He emphasized that inspection rounds, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, are being conducted to make sure that establishments abide by the decision that targets telecommunications, in particular.
The decision aims at creating job opportunities for Saudi nationals willing to join the telecom industry. It also seeks to limit security, social and economic threats and curb cover-up business.
According to the MoL, enforcement will cover all regions and establishments across the Kingdom.