JEDDAH: The Labor Committees at private companies will be restructured according to cultural principles derived from Islam and the conservative nature of Saudi society, said Adel Fakieh, Minister of Labor. He said the ministry is keen to re-activate the role of these committees to ensure workers' rights are respected. Minister Fakieh made the comments while attending the final session of a workshop organized by the National Committee for Labor Committees. He said the meeting will help to boost the role of these committees at companies. He said the ministry has asked the International Labor Organization (ILO) to provide it with its vision and proposals on the condition of workers in the Kingdom. This input will be used to strengthen the role of committees in the service of workers. In reply to a question by Okaz/Saudi Gazette about the fact that some private sector companies do not recognize these committees, Fakieh said the committees do not need the consent of business owners to operate. However, he said the ministry recognizes the important role of business owners. Fakieh said the ministry supports the establishment of Labor Committees, in accordance with Islamic requirements which call for dialogue to solve all issues. He said it was important for business owners to support the committees because this is what is currently required in the labor market. He said the workshop is important because many participants have been tasked with drawing up plans for the successful operation of the committees. He said labor committee members are ambassadors in the private sector for the ministry in its plans to upgrade the labor market in the Kingdom. He said the ministry is in the process of launching an intensive media campaign to consolidate the concept of “Nitaqat” System.
