Cooperative appointments committee to convene soon to evaluate candidates
In light of Administrative Decision No. (2762) of 2026, issued by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Dr. Khalid Al-Ajmi, regarding the formation of a committee to review candidates eligible for appointment in cooperative societies and unions, chaired by the Assistant Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs and Cooperatives, with the Director General of the General Directorate of Cooperatives serving as vice-chair, Al-Jarida learned that the committee is currently preparing to hold its first meeting to examine and evaluate candidates for appointment in cooperative societies and unions in cases where the law permits appointment, in accordance with the criteria and regulations set forth in Ministerial Decision No. (314/2026) issued to this effect.
According to sources within the Ministry of Social Affairs, the coming period will see the release of lists containing the names of at least 30 male and female candidates for appointment in cooperatives, particularly amid expectations of new punitive legal decisions against some non-compliant cooperative councils, including dissolution and the removal of members. The sources revealed that the ministry’s current approach is to appoint interim councils consisting of five members, rather than appointed directors, to avoid unilateral decision-making and ensure that authority is not vested in a single individual. They added: “Regarding the relevant directors, the ministry will seek, within 60 days, to replace them with interim councils formed in accordance with the legal quorum.”
The sources clarified that the committee will also work on developing and establishing an electronic database of eligible candidates for appointment, keeping it updated, receiving and reviewing candidate names, and verifying that each candidate meets the necessary legal and administrative requirements. They noted that the committee will rank candidates according to the specified selection criteria and submit an updated list of eligible candidates, based on the database prepared by the committee, every three months.
According to sources within the Ministry of Social Affairs, interviews will be conducted in the meeting hall of the Undersecretary’s office at the Ministries Complex in Block 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, to ensure the orderly management of attendance and the smooth conduct of interviews. The sources emphasized the necessity for applicants to bring a “No Criminal Record” certificate, issued via the “Sahel” app, before the interview, which is considered one of the most important required documents and a fundamental prerequisite for conducting the interview.
The sources indicated that the personal interview committee will be chaired by Undersecretary Al-Ajmi and include several specialists from the ministry, in accordance with the approved regulations and criteria, ensuring that all candidates are assessed using uniform and objective standards. They clarified that the personal interview accounts for 10 percent of the final evaluation, while the examination accounts for 85 percent of the total assessment.
They affirmed that the personal interviews will be recorded both visually and audibly, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to enhancing transparency, the integrity of the selection process, and equal opportunity among all candidates, while ensuring that the evaluation process proceeds according to clear and uniform standards.
