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As the temperature rises and summer arrives, sales of air conditioner and air cooler dealers soar, but at the same time, there is another type of product that is in high demand but sales are very scarce.
Air conditioning technicians are coveted for repairing and maintaining older equipment, working around the clock but having a hard time getting to their customers on time. Ironically, they are the only ones who thrive in the hot months and struggle when winter arrives.
“This is our season, we make a living by repairing air conditioners. This is the only time we can make good money,” said Shabeer Khan, a Pakistani who has been doing the business for two decades with his four brothers.
The industry, which is staffed mainly by South Asians who specialise in repairing window air conditioners, split air conditioners and central cooling systems, has a large foreign workforce but a shortage of skilled workers during the peak summer months leads to repair delays.
“In the national capital alone, there are hundreds of AC technicians serving locals and expatriates. We work from 5am to midnight and try to satisfy every customer,” added Islamudheen, a Bangladeshi citizen who specialises in split ACs.
To keep up with demand, many military personnel hire extra technicians during the summer, who may be laid off when the summer ends. Business fluctuates wildly during other months, and their future is uncertain.
“I can earn 5 RO for repairing a window AC and another 3 RO for refilling, while I can earn 12 RO for repairing a split AC and 15 RO for refilling. My team can serve six to seven customers a day,” Islamudheen explains.
When summer ends and winter arrives, many workers go home for a long vacation, only returning to Oman when the weather warms up again.
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