Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Labor has ordered that all jobs in the telecoms sector must employ Saudi nationals and foreigners are banned from taking up any job in the sector.
According to Arab News, Ministry spokesman Khaled bin Abdulaziz Abalkhail said the Saudization of the sector came into effect on March 10, and companies are granted six months to correct their status. By June 6, half of all employed must be Saudi nationals and starting September 3, all employees must have to be Saudis, the minister said.
Jobs affected include, but not limited to, jobs at 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, Abalkhail reportedly said.
Inspection is being done in collaboration with other Saudi law enforcement agencies and conducted to ensure establishments across the entire Kingdom abide by the decision. The initiative also aims to create job opportunities to Saudi nationals willing to join the telecom industry.