Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The joint inspection teams from the National Program to Combat Commercial Cover-up have shut down a number of general service (khidmat) offices in Riyadh for committing cover-up (tasattur) violations.

The inspection teams referred the violators to the competent authority to take punitive measures against them in accordance with the regulations. It is noteworthy that the Anti-Commercial Cover-Up Law stipulates maximum prison sentences of five years, fine of up to SR5 million, and the seizure and confiscation of illicit funds after the issuance of final judicial rulings against those involved in such crimes.

The inspection teams detected that those running these offices were involved in committing the crime of cover-up through enabling illegal workers to operate and manage them on their own account without obtaining a valid license to practice the activity.

The field teams detected violations of employing workers, such as violation of the residency, labor, and border security regulations, suspected commercial cover-up, and practicing general service activities by using revoked and expired commercial registrations and without obtaining municipal licenses. It was also found that these offices had employed Saudi female employees without concluding legal work contracts and insurance.

The inspection teams also detected violations such as failure to issue tax invoices, not make available electronic payment methods, violating the monitoring system of insurance companies, practicing activity not registered in the license, the firms’ external name boards not matching the license data, and practicing the activity after the expiry of license.

The National Program to Combat Commercial Cover-Up has identified 10 criteria for establishments’ commitment to the market rules approved by government agencies, and they are being monitored continuously.