Two thousand inspection rounds uncover 200 violations related to nationalization of home and office furniture shops

The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) said Sunday collective inspection teams have detected 207 violations related to the nationalization of home and office furniture shops since the enforcement of the decision on Sept. 11, which seeks to nationalize four economic activities. In cooperation with other entities, the ministry has implemented 2,111 inspection rounds in various regions of the Kingdom, uncovering 1,586 entities in compliance with the nationalization decision compared to 255 entities failing to do so. The ministry added the inspectors have found 178 and 29 violations related to the nationalization decision and other labor issues, respectively. They also have issued 449 warnings to those who continue to ignore the decision. Meanwhile, the nationalization of home and office furniture sales business comes within the first phase of the decision that target 12 economic activities, which goes hand in hand with MLSD’s efforts to empower Saudi men and women in the workforce and raise their participation in the private sector. The sales business of watches, optics, electrical and electronic appliances will be nationalized on Nov. 9, 2018, whereas the nationalization of medical supplies and equipment, auto parts, building and construction materials, carpets shops and confectionery shops will be on Jan. 7, 2019. Previously, the ministry has approved the instructions guide that streamlines the ministerial decision aiming to nationalize 12 economic activities in the retail sector, containing details on how the decision is enforced as well as various support programs that involved government entities offer. Moreover, the guide provides details about sales jobs exclusive to Saudi men and women in the retail sector, general conditions, the programs offered by the ministry and its affiliated entities and FAQs, which can be viewed via (https://goo.gl/RYBMBf). A joint committee have been formed by representatives from the MLSD, the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and the Social Development Bank in order to prepare a program that explores nationalization of other activities as well as coordinating with the concerned entities. Those who violate the decision that replaces foreign workers with Saudi workers in these activities will be subject to penalties mentioned in the Law, the ministry highlighted