Inspection teams detect 1,900 violations related to nationalization of telecom sector, warning 1,435 firms: MLSD

The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) said on Tuesday that inspectors have detected 1,916 violations since 2018 in various regions of the Kingdom to implement the decision aiming to nationalize the telecommunication sector. These violations include 1,477 related to the nationalization decision and 439 of other labor issues, as well as warning 1,435 entities of closure if they continue to ignore the decision. Meanwhile, the inspection teams have conducted 43,861 inspection rounds on commercial centers and independent stores to make sure the private sector complies with the decision aiming to nationalize the telecommunication sector, which is in cooperation with several government entities. Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman for MLSD, said the inspection rounds have uncovered compliance of 41,936 entities to the decision since 2018 compared to 1,925 failing to do so. The spokesman urged customers to report labor violations or submit inquires relating to the decision through contacting the Customer Service no. (19911) or using the ‘Ma3an Lil Rasd’ app on smart phones. Meanwhile, the ministerial decision to nationalize the sales and maintenance shops of mobile phones and their peripherals aims to generate job opportunities for Saudi men and women who are interested in the cell-phone industry in the light of the sector’s ability to provide lucrative income and job stability for them. Additionally, it seeks to limit security, social and economic issues and curb cover-up businesses as the sectoral enforcement also gives no exception for any establishment either mega, large, medium or small-sized.