The Ministry of Education through the Education Development Company (EDC) which has been entrusted with the responsibility of running school canteens has come up with various provisions and conditions including hiring of Saudi students to work in cafeterias during the school recess.

The new system, which will be implemented from the start of the second semester in select schools in the first phase, mandates that each student working in the cafeteria should be paid a minimum of SR300 per month.

These conditions were included in the contract drawn up by the EDC for operating school cafeterias. The contract will extend over three school semesters, until the end of the scholastic year of 2014-2015. The company stated that sale will be allowed for the entire length of the school day, except during prayer times.

The company will be committed to operating the cafeteria throughout the scholastic year, and during the final exam period. Cafeterias are expected to abide by the same quality services and health conditions, and priority should be given to selling national products and services.

The ministry clearly defined, through the contract, the list of products that can be sold in new cafeterias. The products should be from known companies that are under the supervision of government authorities. The products sold should have validity date of just one day.

The ministry exempted the operating company from charges for water and electricity consumption. The company shouldn’t overspend, and use water and electricity within reasonable limits. The company will be obliged to provide the necessary equipment, including refrigerators, shelves, fans, fire extinguishers, window mesh (to prevent pests and insects from entering the facility), insect traps and waste baskets.

The cafeteria employees should abide by hygiene rules and wear gloves and head caps. Cleaning materials and tissues should be available all times.

The contract stated that the operating company should pay all financial dues to its employees, and abide by the labor and residency laws. It should provide its employees with accommodation, transportation, health care and valid bank guarantees for the length of the school contract to ensure validity and performance.

The company will be forced to pay SR100 for each day of delayed payment, and SR200 for each product sold that is not in the official list. The product will be removed and the company will pledge not to repeat the violation again.

The company will be fined SR300 if a product with an expiry date is on sale and the product will be destroyed. If the product past its sell-by date has been sold, the company will pay SR500 fine for each school.