THE Ministry of Labor and Saudi Telecom Company (STC) inked a memorandum of understanding to train and support citizens with setting up their enterprises in the telecom sector. The signing took place at the STC Headquarters, and was under the auspices of Labor Minister Dr. Mufarrej Bin Saad Al-Haqubani. The joint cooperation targets the Saudization of all sales outlets and maintenance shops of the mobile shops. Such a collective move ramps up the decision of Saudi-exclusive cellphone sector leading to the up-skill national Saudis along with enhancing job retention as they enter the labor market. The ceremony was led by Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain, deputy labor minister for planning, development and information at the Ministry of Labor and Dr. Khaled Al-Biyari, CEO of STC. During the event, the labor minister extended his thanks to the STC's initiative to support the nationalization of cellphone shops and hoped that agreement will be the cornerstone of further collaboration between the ministry and STC. Al-Haqubani regarded the MOU as continuous efforts to nationalize cellphone sales and maintenance market through developing and training citizens of both genders that enable them to be at helm of the sector and can compete at the global and international levels. He also said: " Our ambitions are not only limited to what the MOU states but go beyond by transforming it into a tangible work observed by the national sons and daughters across various parts of the Kingdom." On the other hand, Al-Biyari mentioned that the agreement is the starting point towards nationalizing one of the vital sectors in the Kingdom, ensuring STC's vision focuses on developing telecom professions. The company will also pay tremendous attention to the human resources development to increase their professional and effectiveness at workplaces with the aim of increasing performance of all sectors, Al-Biyari added further. The telecom CEO explained that the agreement is part of the company's strategy that goes in sync with the national plans as well as decisions set up by MOL, integrating all ministries to take part in. he pointed to the move as "a blessing step yielding successes". In accordance to the text and spirit of MOU, STC will offer a comprehensive training program that contributes to the nationalization decision. Around 500 male and female citizens would benefit from the program, in collaboration with high-tech companies. The scheme would also acquire trainees with necessary skills empowering them to carry out jobs in the mobile phone industries through training programs including sales, marketing, accounting, warehouse management, cellphone maintenance and other relating fields. As per the agreement between the both entities, the company is pledged to enroll 300 entrepreneurs into training programs and streamline process for them to own and set up their telecom business. To run cellphone shops, STC will support a total of 100 enterprises besides provide business owners material support or incentives, or both. The binding agreement also requires STC to assume expenses allocated for training, rehabilitation and collaboration programs where trainees will not incur any fees. Previously, a host of 10 government entities have been united to Saudize the cellphones industry along with its sales, maintenance and accessories. Through a bundle of initiatives and programs put forward, Saudi nationals would be trained and employed in the telecom field, activating their productive role in the economy. The Ministries of Labor, Commerce and Industry, Communication and Information Technology and Municipality and Rural Affairs are exerting collective efforts to execute the decision on nationalizing the sales outlets and maintenance shops of the mobile phones and their accessories. The multilateral work is in collaboration with the Human Recourses Development Fund, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, General Organization for Social Insurance, Saudi Credit and Saving Fund and National Entrepreneurship Institute. The decision aims at creating job opportunities for Saudi males and females who are willing to join the mobile industry since the promising sector yields financial benefits and provides job stability. It seeks to limit security, social and economic threats and curb cover-up business. The decision on the Saudization in this sector came into effect on March 10 and gave the six-month deadline for employers and expatriate workers 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, besides 100 percent over six month, starting from Sept. 3.
