Saudi Oger
{{Short description|Saudi construction company (1978–2017)}}
{{infobox company
| name = Saudi Oger Limited
شركة سعودي أوجيه المحدودة
| logo = Saudi oger logo.gif
| logo_size = 100px
| type = Private
| foundation = {{start date and age|1978}}
| defunct = 31 July 2017
| key_people = Saad Hariri (Chairman)
Ayman Hariri (CEO)
| homepage = {{url|http://www.saudioger.com}}
}}
{{Hariri family sidebar}}
Saudi Oger Ltd ({{langx|ar|سعودي أوجيه}}), was a Saudi construction company, incorporated in January 1978{{cite web|url= http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=1611621|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090722050747/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=1611621|url-status= dead|archive-date= July 22, 2009|title=Saudi Oger Ltd.: Private Company Information|work=Businessweek|accessdate=29 August 2012}} with its headquarters in Riyadh. The initial paid up capital of SR 1 million (US$267,000) was subsequently increased to the present level of SR 750 million (US$200 million). Saudi Oger was a private company, wholly owned by the Rafik Hariri family.{{cite web|url= https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/316431Z:AB/profile|title=Profile & Executives - Saudi Oger Ltd|work=Bloomberg|accessdate=20 September 2012}} After struggling for a long period, Saudi Oger closed down on 31 July 2017.{{cite web|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/struggling-construction-firm-saudi-oger-shuts-report/|title=Struggling construction firm Saudi Oger shuts down - report|author=|date=31 July 2017|website=gulfbusiness.com|accessdate=5 August 2017}}
Business lines
The Oger Telecommunications subsidiary provides fixed-line and mobile communication, and Internet services in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, and South Africa.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=24083186|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831191601/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=24083186|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2009|title=Oger Telecom Limited: Private Company Information|work=Businessweek|accessdate=3 October 2012}} In 2008, Saudi Telecom Company (STC), acquired Oger Telecom for $2.56 billion with a 35% stake in the company.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sauditelecom-oger-idUSL0963369320080209|title=Saudi Telecom says finalizes $2.6 bln Oger deal|quote=$2.56 billion) to buy 35 percent|work=Reuters|accessdate=23 October 2012}}
Criticism
Due to alleged mismanagement, corruption and falling oil prices, Saudi Oger suffered a significant financial impact, and failed to provide monthly salaries to its employees as of November 2015.{{cite web|url= http://www.arabnews.com/node/936796/saudi-arabia|title=Saudi Oger Ltd.Angry workers burned vehicles}}
The French government appealed to the government of Saudi Arabia to assist 200 distressed French employees of Saudi Oger.{{cite web|url= http://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/L-appel-au-secours-de-200-francais-bloques-en-Arabie-Saoudite-996026|title= L' appel au secours de 200 Français bloques en Arabie Saoudite }}
About 9,000 Filipino workers were appealing to both local officials and their country’s embassy to help them resolve their escalating labor problem in terms of eight to nine months’ salary due, since November 2015.{{cite web|url= http://www.arabnews.com/node/955001/saudi-arabia |title= Filipino expats seek to resolve salary dues
}}
The company had recently shut down the canteen for foreign workers. Some workers continue to rely on food donations from some community groups and embassy personnel.
The workers cannot leave their accommodations because their residence permits known as “Iqama” have expired. Only their employers can renew the expired permits. This would entail enormous costs given the immigration penalties involved per worker. If caught, they will be given prison sentences. The expiration of their “Iqama” also complicates other matters, such as closing of bank account and inability to call home because retail outlets look for these permits before selling SIM cards or mobile-phone credits. Their lack of mobility due to lack of a valid permit also prevents these workers from going to the nearest embassy or consulate to seek help.
Crime has risen inside the workers’ accommodations and company premises. Company cars were overturned, housing units burned to the ground, and pickets have continued.
The reason why workers cannot leave the country is because they need to have a valid exit clearance to be able to leave, which only the management can provide. Most workers have already resigned from their jobs and filed for their exit clearances. However, the company could not provide airplane tickets, end of service benefits, and most importantly salaries which have resulted in their dire situation as stranded workers.{{cite web|url= http://www.manilatimes.net/stranded-in-saudi-arabia/274330/
|title= Stranded in Saudi Arabia
}}
References
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