JEDDAH: Several security experts have commended Ministry of Labor and Social Development’s efforts to give jobs in the mobile phone industry to Saudis, saying the fact that the industry is being monopolized by foreigners is alarming.

They said the fruits of these efforts will be reflected on the security of the Kingdom and will open job opportunities for its citizens, emphasizing the fact that this strategic sector greatly affects social, economic and security aspects in the Kingdom.

They also stressed that it is not acceptable for the sector to be controlled by non-Saudis because of the serious consequences of such dominance, well known to those working in the information technology sector.

Saleh Al-Tuwaijri, faculty member at King Saud University, said nationalizing the telecommunications sector will bring economic, social and political security to the Kingdom in view of the nature of the activity of this sector and its influence over a wide range of aspects of social life.

"This transformation will have different impacts on the level of activity in this sector, and will require appropriate and distinct servicing in the sale and maintenance, and the other support services. The sector is very sensitive as this little piece — meaning the cellular phone — carries within it details of the life of every individual in the society. Therefore, the Saudization of the jobs in this sector will bring social security in the first place," he said.

Saud Humaid Al-Subaie, member of the security committee of the Shoura Council, said security always comes first in any country, and there is no economic, political or social life if security in missing.

"Security nowadays involves many aspects; one of the more important is the technology aspect, with an abundance of means of electronic communication available to every individual around the world. This comes at a price, including fear of breaching the privacy of the individual and the society, even of the state.

“Here, in the kingdom, we find that expatriates dominate the sector whereas Saudis should be in their places because of the sensitivity of the business and its security ramifications", said Al-Subaie.

Maj. Gen Ali bin Mohammad Al-Tamimi, faculty member at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences said: "The Kingdom understands the risks involved in not granting the jobs in this sector to Saudis. As a result, there have been directions to make all possible efforts to Saudize the sector, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Development decided not to postpone the decision because any delays in this regard mean that citizens lose job opportunities, not to mention the large profits this sector yields for the individual and the national economy."