Telecom firm disowns actions of employee in umbrella 'snatching'

(MENAFN- Arab News) A video clip about an employee of the STC (Saudi Telecom Company) snatching umbrellas from pilgrims with Mobily logos (a rival telecom company in the Kingdom) during the Haj and giving them umbrellas with the STC logo instead has gone viral on social media sites.

However the STC has distanced itself from the incident and immediately issued a statement targeting their customers on all social media networks including Twitter that the video was projecting a wrong image of the state-owned telecom company and that they are not responsible for the actions of their employee.

The statement read: 'The STC confirms that they respect their competitors and do not support such unprofessional behavior by their employees. The employee in question acted voluntarily and the STC will not take responsibility for it. However the STC is investigating the matter and action will be taken against the individual accordingly.'

A number of viewers said that the footage represented bad publicity for the STC.

'Competition is an accepted part of business. If Mobily was distributing free umbrellas and bags to the pilgrims STC should have made plans in advance to follow suit. In fact they should have provided better offers and services to the pilgrims to take full advantage of the Haj' said Mohammed Hassan adding that now the STC would have to repair its image and go through the long-winded process of an investigation.

Another STC user Talal Al Zafri said that pilgrims come to the Kingdom to perform their religious duties and these holy sites should not be a battleground for Mobily STC and Zain umbrellas and bags.

There are several telecom companies in the Kingdom with STC Mobily and Zain to name a few. While the STC is government-owned Mobily and Zain are private establishments.