RIYADH: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has placed seven conditions for getting rid of commercial coverups in the Kingdom. It called for upgraded coordination between authorities issuing commercial registers – the Ministry of Commerce and Industry – and the Ministry of Labor, which issues visas, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, which issues licenses. There is a need to require enterprises to obtain Saudization certificates from the Ministry of Labor before licenses are renewed; continue in Saudization of activities and professions that are viewed as having good financial returns and are in demand by Saudi nationals; and support the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the required staff and funding so it can implement the anti coverup regulation. In addition, through one of the universities, the Ministry of Higher Education should conduct a field study on the phenomenon of expatriates controlling some shops; this should be conducted in coordination with the related authorities. Authorities concerned should intensify field campaigns to ensure that recruited workers work only in the professions and activities for which they have been recruited, working hours in shops should be specified and more cooperative societies should be established, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It added that its current role is supervisory and focuses on verifying the legality of companies, establishments and shops, and making sure they do not violate regulations relating to coverups. It pointed out that departments addressing commercial coverups are facing difficulties in uncovering and proving the cases. Part of the problem is that suspects do not show up when they are summoned and cannot be located, which delays verdicts.
