The Ministries of Trade and Labor will form a joint committee to prosecute unlicensed iron factories operating without any legal framework and producing low-quality iron for sale in the domestic market.

Shuail Al-Aydh, chairman of the National Committee of Iron Industries, told local media that the committee reported to both ministries regarding 20 factories producing iron that were not in accordance with official requirements and specifications. These companies, Al-Aydh told local media, were selling large quantities of such products to customers.

He added the factories in question produce around one million tons of iron annually and are located in several major cities like Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah.

Only six of these factories have operating licenses, Al-Aydh pointed out.

“These factories are run by Asian workers who do not have licenses or quality production standards,” said Al-Aydh.