Parliamentary Finance Committee Summons Finance Minister Over Employee Dues

The Parliamentary Finance Committee asserts that contract regularization, allowances, and promotions are employee entitlements. It calls for their prompt resolution, emphasizing that employee rights should not be tied to the financial situation. The committee is set to host the Minister of Finance to discuss these critical issues, in addition to the budget, revenues, expenditures, and taxes. Committee member Ahmed Al-Haj Rashid clarified that these are pivotal topics demanding urgent explanations and solutions from the Minister during the upcoming hearing. On contract regularization, Rashid noted public confusion, affirming the current focus is on regularizing existing contractors, not new appointments. He indicated the Finance Minister previously promised to task ministries with calculating regularization costs to reach a final decision. Regarding allowances and promotions, Rashid stated Finance Minister Faleh Al-Sari pledged solutions, but these require necessary financial allocations. He stressed this is an employee's right, not to be linked by the state to its financial status, being a rightful entitlement. Rashid further affirmed that employee rights, both for contractors awaiting regularization and those eligible for allowances and promotions, require clear handling and resolution. He reiterated the financial situation should not justify keeping these files pending. He explained that monthly oil revenues entering the treasury are insufficient to cover all commitments, necessitating financial solutions to address these matters and protect employee job entitlements.