The decision by Minister of Labor Dr. Mufarrij bin Saad Al-Haqbani to restrict employment in the sale and maintenance of mobile phones and accessories exclusively to Saudi men and women was intended to strengthen plans and programs for the Saudization of jobs and thereby create thousands of jobs for Saudi men and women. This decision is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Providing job opportunities for Saudis
The decision, recently issued by the Minister of Labor, granting establishments and workers in this sector a six-month grace period, beginning on the 1st of Jumada al-Akhira 1437 AH, to rectify their status, provided that the establishments concerned commit to Saudization of these two professions at a rate of no less than 50% within three months from the start date of 1 Ramadan 1437 AH, and a 100% Saudization rate starting on 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1437 AH.
The Ministry of Labor clarified that this decision aims to create job opportunities for Saudi men and women wishing to work in this field, given that these professions offer adequate financial returns and job stability, to preserve these professions due to their security, social, and economic importance, and to curb the practice of front companies.
Regarding the scope and field of application of the decision, it stipulates that the geographic scope of application is comprehensive, covering all regional emirates and all provinces and cities in the Kingdom, and that sectoral application will cover all categories and sizes of establishments—whether mega, large, medium, or small. In addition to the Ministry of Labor, the sister institutions comprising the labor market system—namely the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf), the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training, and the General Organization for Social Insurance, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, to achieve the intended benefits and strategic objectives of the decision.
Private Sector Cooperation
The Ministry emphasized the important role of the private sector in implementing the decision to restrict employment in the professions of selling and maintaining mobile phones and their accessories exclusively to Saudi men and women, and the importance of partnership and cooperation with all components of this sector, The Ministry clarified that the telecommunications sector localization program is being carried out in partnership with Saudi youth who are pioneers of change—those who have proven their worth in their work and achieved success, while representatives from the private sector were also engaged, and their opinions, suggestions, and constructive efforts were heard in order to fulfill the obligations of integrity and national duty and achieve the best possible outcomes for the sons and daughters of the nation.
Training and Qualification of Saudis
To ensure the swift and professional implementation of this decision, the Ministry of Labor and its sister agencies, in cooperation with the relevant ministries, have sought to design training and qualification programs suited to this phase to support this initiative and those wishing to participate in it, as well as to provide financial support and employment services to facilitate the transition within the specified timeframe.
Regarding the implementation of training programs, the Ministry confirmed that the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training has designed high-quality training and qualification programs specializing in customer service, cell phone maintenance, and entrepreneurship. Those interested in working or investing in the communications and information technology sector will be able to benefit from these programs during the coming period, and there is no doubt that this decision will greatly support the state’s strategy of Saudizing jobs currently held by foreigners and providing broader and more extensive opportunities for Saudi youth.
Call for the Implementation of Saudization
A large number of citizens and businesspeople welcomed the Ministry of Labor’s decision to restrict employment in the sale and maintenance of mobile phones and accessories exclusively to Saudi men and women, as this decision will significantly enhance and support the creation of thousands of job opportunities for young Saudis of both genders, and a large number of workers in mobile phone stores have called on the relevant authorities to expedite the implementation of the decision to Saudize the mobile phone sales and programming sector and prevent expatriates from working in it, in order to provide greater investment opportunities for Saudi youth in this vital field, which is a dynamic market with excellent financial returns. We find that more than 70 percent of those working in it are foreigners of various nationalities .
