RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the end of the grace period to Saudize all jobs in the remote customer service professions as the decision to localize this sector came into effect from Sunday, Aug. 1. The ministry said that this decision applies to all establishments operating in the labor market, whether through direct or indirect contracting. This decision is expected to generate scores of jobs in the vital customer service sector as it comes within a set of decisions to localize the professions that the ministry worked on. These include the agreement that the ministry concluded with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) and the Communications and Information Technology Commission with regard to Saudization of jobs in the communications and information technology sector. The agreement aims to enable young Saudi men and women working in customer service professions to obtain decent and better job opportunities as well as creating an appropriate and stimulating work environment for them in the private sector, apart from improving the quality of the customer experience in the Kingdom. The decision covers Saudization of all professions and jobs that are offered at remote customer service call centers, whether by phone, e-mail, chat, social media, direct interaction, and others. This decision aims to create more job opportunities for Saudis and help them improve their income level, besides contributing to supporting the Saudi economy and gross domestic product (GDP), in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. It is noteworthy that Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi issued an order on Feb. 1 this year to Saudize remote customer service professions, including direct and indirect contract jobs. The ministry's decision came in coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, which contributed to supporting and limiting companies operating in the private sector and benefiting from the decision. The two ministries launched the Future Skills Initiative to offer programs to support employment, training, guidance and vocational guidance as part of boosting the Saudization drive in remote customer service professions. The ministerial decision also includes work contracts or outsourcing of services under which employers offer work remotely. The ministry, in cooperation with HADAF, will offer a number of training and support programs for customer service professions.
