The Ministry of Labor has recruited 181 new officials for its labor dispute committees, including 59 legal consultants, 59 administrative assistants and 63 clerks.

The decision is a part of the ministry’s project to support the committees for their connection in correcting the labor market for employers, Saudi and non-Saudi workers.

Ahmad Al-Humaidan, the ministry’s undersecretary for labor policies, said that the current resolution on labor disputes will have a negative impact on the market.

The delayed issuance of verdicts in such cases is one of the most significant issues the ministry is determined to solve, he said, adding that the committees are exerting concerted efforts in this regard.

Al-Humaidan said 61 percent of cases were resolved last year (10,523 cases out of 17,247). Of these, Saudi workers accounted for 5,007 cases.

The recruitment of a number of employees would not be the last procedure taken to accelerate verdicts in labor cases.

The ministry will launch several programs aimed at the same goal, he said, adding the new employees will be distributed among 21 parliamentary and high-power labor dispute committees across the Kingdom.

Al-Humaidan called on businessmen, private and public establishments to quickly respond to summons issued by the committees, stressing that a delay in responding to the summons would bear a negative impact on the establishment’s legal status and reputation.

The ministry will also compile reports on such establishments.