Ooredoo- cuts 165 positions- 60 Kuwaitis Fired

Ooredon't want Kuwaiti workers

Ooredoo Kuwait has cut 165 jobs, the Gulf country's No.3 mobile operator by subscribers said on Tuesday, as its market share shrinks and profits fall.

The job losses account for about 15 percent of its workforce. According to the company's 2012 annual report - the latest available - the company employed 1,082 people.The company - 92.1 percent owned by Qatar's Ooredoo - has struggled in its home market in Kuwait following the launch of the country's third mobile operator, Viva Kuwait, in 2008 which aggressively cut prices to woo customers.

 

Ooredoo Kuwait said in a statement it had made the job cuts, which include 60 Kuwaitis, to increase efficiency, serve customers more effectively and simplify the organisation.Ooredoo Kuwait has reported a decline in profits in eight of the past 11 quarters, according to Reuters data. Its shares have fallen 12.5 percent so far this year.

The company's share of Kuwait's mobile subscribers was 31 percent as of June 30, according to the country's No.1 mobile operator Zain's earnings statement. Zain had a 36 percent share and Viva 33 percent.At the end of 2010, Ooredoo Kuwait - then known as Wataniya - had a market share of 39 percent, Zain 44 percent and Viva 17 percent, Zain's annual report shows.Ooredoo Kuwait also has operations in Tunisia and Algeria.

It must really suck when another country takes over and kicks out employees, especially Kuwaitis, Gasp! I think they are saying you people suck, in a nice way by labeling it as 'job cuts'. I have Viva and it is awful, I have only a certain amount of days to use the crdit or the phone cuts off forcing me to recharge every week even though I still have a credit balance. With Ooredoo (I hate that name- I still refer to them as Wataniya) I put 10 KD on it and used it for 6 months with no problems.

I would also suggest they bring in some good looking Qatari staff, I can be the recruiter!