Most gas stations across the Kingdom fall in the Red Category under the new Saudization program, Nitaqat, and face closure if they fail to employ the required number of Saudis. It is estimated that there are between 70,000 and 100,000 gas stations spread across the Kingdom. Most, if not all, employ only expatriates from India and Bangladesh. About 90 percent of the gas stations, including those offering services like oil changes, tire sales and electrical check-ups, do not employ Saudis, according to Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, finance manager of the Imad Group of Companies that owns a chain of gas service stations in the Eastern Province. “We are in the Red Category, counted among the estimated 40 percent of local establishments cited by the Ministry of Labor that are not employing Saudis,” said Al-Ghamdi. “We have to seriously address this issue by hiring young Saudis if we, gas station operators, want to continue our businesses under the new mandate of the government,” he said. According to Al-Ghamdi, gas station businesses have many problems which need immediate solutions. He believes that by employing Saudis, many of the problems can be solved. “Corruption by expatriates who run and manage these establishments is rampant. Gas stations are subjected to robberies at night, and facilities are not up to standard, particularly safety in handling used lubricant oil from the daily operations,” Al-Ghamdi said. He said some expatriates who manage gas stations steal part of the daily sales. Al-Ghamdi believes that gas station operators can gradually remove themselves from the Red Category within the six month prescribed period to comply with Nitaqat, by employing Saudis as supervisors and security personnel. “Many gas stations are lagging behind in providing services and customers often complain,” he said. A Saudi supervisor can sort out the day-to-day problems at a gas station by personally addressing them, talking to the customers, and directing the expatriates to do their jobs properly. Employing Saudis as safety and security officers at gas stations will lessen problems associated with robberies and even corruption,” he said. Gas stations are profitable businesses, industry sources say. Many invest in gas stations either by managing them or renting them out. Annual rent could go up to about SR2 million, depending on the location, according to an owner of a chain of gas service stations in Agrabiyah in Al-Khobar. He said many gas stations, particularly those strategically located in prime sectors of the cities, have been selected by banks for their automated teller machines (ATMs). Coffee shops are also sprouting up at gas stations along the national highways. “With profit not bad, gas station operators can afford to hire Saudis. Not much training is required for those willing to take supervisory or night watchmen jobs. Saudi supervisors and security personnel can change the bad image associated with gas stations, and at the same time meet the Nitaqat requirement,” Al
