JEDDAH: The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is proposing to set up mini-factories in prisons to help inmates develop skills and become productive members of society once released.

Members of the JCCI’s industrial committee will meet with the prison authorities in Jeddah to discuss the issue and develop a plan to help inmates develop skills in various professions, said Ibrahim Batterjee, head of the committee, according to a report in a local publication on Monday.

He said the Kingdom’s laws allow inmates receiving training to enjoy various benefits including social insurance and bonuses. They would also be offered jobs in factories after they are released, he said.

Meanwhile, Batterjee said the committee also discussed the rise in water tariffs and other costs announced by the government. Various grievances with these increases from factories affected would be taken up with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He said the JCCI’s research and studies department plans to conduct a study on the effect of the new tariffs on water companies, soft drink firms and other industries, which would be submitted to the ministry for further action.

On another matter, he said the committee is also preparing a study on how to align school education with the needs of the country’s industries, particularly in the non-oil sector.

The communication and information technology committee at the JCCI, chaired by Waheeb Mahmoud, discussed holding a workshop on information security on Jan. 25.

Also at the JCCI, the health services committee, chaired by Nasser Al-Zahem, held discussions with Adel Abdulshakoor, executive manager of XS Company for Conferences and Exhibition, on preparations for the Saudi International Forum for Healthcare from March 20 to 22.