By Adnan Al-Shabrawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Minister of Labor and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi has approved the proposed amendments to the rules and procedures organizing amicable settlement of labor disputes.

The General Administration for Amicable Settlement of Disputes in coordination with the Ministry of Justice will make arrangements for the electronic transfer of cases to the labor courts in case an amicable settlement is not reached by the two parties to the dispute.

Okaz has obtained the rules and procedures organizing amicable settlement of labor disputes. It comprises 26 articles and includes definitions of terms, general rules, jurisdictions, procedures for sessions and rules for issuing final verdicts.

The Ministry of Labor has put several conditions for people who wish to practice ‘amicable settlement of labor disputes.’

The conditions include obtaining a special license from the Ministry of Labor. He should be qualified to work in this field. He should be known for his honesty and integrity. He should not have been convicted in any crime infringing on honor and integrity. The amicable settlement proceedings should be kept totally confidential and the person mediating a settlement should not disclose any secret.

Nobody is allowed to attend the sessions unless the two parties to the dispute or those representing them give their consent. It is permissible for all the procedures mentioned in the rules to be electronic.

Arabic is the official language. But it is allowed to take the help of certified translators from within the ministry or outside, and of experts, specialists and professionals to help in reaching an amicable settlement.