Raids to begin as full Saudization of mobile shops ‘dialled’

JEDDAH: The Ministry of Labor and Social Development has refused requests by cellphone stores to extend the deadline for Saudization of the sector, which falls next Friday.

Shops in the sector were given until Ramadan 1 to Saudize 50 percent of the positions, and until Dul Hijjah 1 to Saudize jobs 100 percent.

Ministry sources said inspection campaigns would begin Sunday throughout the Kingdom.

Initial inspections show that nearly 50 percent of shops were in violation, having failed to comply with the requirements of the first phase, which was 50 percent Saudization of all jobs.

Penalties include fines and closures, and violations over the next period will result in immediate closure of shops, in addition to a fine if foreign employees are found working in these shops.

Foreigners have for years dominated the cellphone shops, preventing Saudi nationals from entering the field and securing stable jobs.

According to Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development Fahad Al-Oweidi, there will be many more employment opportunities for citizens after the full Saudization of the sector. He said that these jobs offer good financial returns and will help eliminate cover-up business.

Inspection campaigns and visits will continue to be conducted, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Investment, and security agencies. The government had faced criticism for failing to Saudize the sector so far, especially in view of the violations committed by foreigners.