Minister of Social Affairs Issues Decision on Governing Temporary Appointments in Cooperatives - Sarmad
Today, Sunday, Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwail, Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, and Social Development, issued a ministerial decision regarding the conditions and regulations for the selection, appointment, and performance monitoring of appointed members, interim managers, and interim boards of directors in cooperative societies and unions.
Al-Huwail stated that the decision comes within the framework of enhancing governance, improving administrative efficiency, and tightening oversight of the cooperative sector, emphasizing that it reinforces the principle that appointment is a responsibility, not a privilege.
She added that the management of shareholders’ assets and interests must be based on competence, integrity, and accountability for results, stressing that interim management should serve as a tool for reform and addressing deficiencies, rather than merely replacing names with names.
The minister clarified that the decision includes the establishment of a permanent committee to review candidates’ qualifications, the creation of an electronic database for applicants, and verification of their compliance with legal and administrative requirements, as well as the absence of conflict-of-interest cases, with selection based on academic qualifications, experience, and age.
She noted that the decision set clear appointment conditions, the most prominent of which is that the candidate must hold a university degree with an “excellent” grade in the last two years, and must not have been subject to a disciplinary penalty involving salary deduction or higher in the past three years.
The conditions also include passing the approved training program and examination with a score of no less than 80 percent, undergoing a security background check, and not having been previously dismissed from the board of directors of a cooperative society or union, or having been a member of a board dissolved due to serious financial or administrative violations.
She informed that the decision mandated appointees to comply with legislation regarding the disclosure of financial status and the prevention of conflicts of interest, as well as disclosing any direct or indirect interests.
Al-Huwail added that the decision required interim managers or interim boards of directors to prepare a work plan within 30 days of assuming their duties, and to submit periodic reports every three months detailing achievement rates, the resolution of violations, and the financial and administrative status of the society.
She emphasized that anyone assuming responsibility would be held to a work plan and measurable results subject to monitoring and accountability, noting that the decision authorized the termination of appointment if any of its conditions were no longer met, duties were breached, authority was exceeded, or fundamental deficiencies in performance were established.
