RIYADH – The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) has urged all stakeholders in the private sector to submit their suggestions with regard to the proposal to implement 100 percent Saudization in shopping malls all over the Kingdom. The ministry posted its recommendations in this respect on its community participation portal called "Together We Improve", which can be accessed through the link http://qarar.ma3an.gov.sa/a/ideas/recent/campaigns/19927. Minister of Labor and Social Development Ali Al-Ghafees on Thursday issued an order to restrict employment in shopping malls to Saudi nationals, who currently make up only one in five staff in the retail sector. Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman for the ministry, said employers and all others affected by the move shall participate in the process of improving the decision taken by the ministry with their suggestions and observations. "The ministry will only give finishing touches to the decision after examining the suggestions and opinions of all stakeholders," he said. The spokesman said suggestions and proposals could cover those areas such as giving financial support to employers to help them pay the minimum monthly salary of SR3,000 to Saudi employees, support of up to SR1 million for Saudis wishing to own shopping outlets, making available transportation and childcare facilities for women employees, and free training facilities. Abalkhail said the ministry is keen to listen to opinions and suggestions of all stakeholders before announcing the final decision and the deadline for implementing it. The active participation of all those concerned would enable the ministry to take ideal decisions, serving the interests of all parties concerned, he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Qattan, undersecretary for labor policies at the ministry, urged employers and all those concerned to submit their suggestions with regard to its new guidelines on work ethics, posted on the ministry's portal. "The guide is aimed at improving the employer-employee relations as well as the work environment, increasing efficiency and productivity of employees, and administration of the firm. The guide also includes several other aspects pertaining to work ethics related to misuse of power, fairness, equal treatment, general appearance, honesty, trustworthiness, etiquette and collective responsibility," Qattan said. Bank accounts for house helps RIYADH – The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) has launched a scheme to open bank accounts for the disbursement of salaries and allowances of domestic workers. Khaled Abalkhail, spokesman for the ministry, said the scheme aimed at protecting contractual obligations and rights of both domestic work and their employers. The scheme would cover all domestic workers in the Kingdom. Employers must have online documentation of the labor contract through the portal of Musaned (www.musaned.gov.sa), with details of monthly salary and other particulars before opening the bank accounts. The domestic workers can lodge their complaints if any through Musaned portal or by contacting customer service number of 19911, he said.
