A total of 14,062 establishments have showed compliance with the directive aimed at employing Saudis in the telecom sector, according to the statistics of the second month of ongoing inspection campaigns. Mobile phone and its accessories stores were asked to Saudize 50 percent of jobs by June 6 (Ramadan 1) and 100 percent by Sept. 2 (Dhul Hijjah 1). Inspectors conducted 16,648 visits to a number of shops selling mobile phones and accessories across the Kingdom from June 6 to July 17 to ensure the implementation of 50% Saudization. The Eastern Province registered the highest number of law-abiding establishments at 3,947. It was followed by Riyadh (2,089). Dr. Fahad Al-Owaidi, deputy minister for inspection and development of work environment at the Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD), said the crackdown will continue to guarantee the full Saudization of the telecom sector before Sept. 2. He said that the ministry urged establishments to comply with the Saudization directive and that those who are reluctant to employ Saudi nationals in the telecom sector will face penal action. Al-Owaidi said that 2,503 violations were recorded. The ministry transferred to the concerned committee 1,836 cases to penalize offenders. A total of 1,389 mobile phone sales and maintenance shops were shut down and 667 were given warning. The ministry is keen to nationalize this vital and lucrative sector given its capability to generate job opportunities for Saudi nationals as well as to protect the mobile phone business from security threats. Violations of the directive can be reported through the Rasd service (rasd.ma3an.gov.sa) as all tip-offs are handled promptly. The ministry can also be notified about establishments and expat workers who violate the Saudization decision in the telecom sector through its customer service no. 19911. The ministry has endeavored to regulate the labor market in order to attract Saudi nationals to work in the private sector and to facilitate businesses that contribute to the national economy in line with Vision 2030.
