‘MoSAL decision on Umrah trips a campaign to defame co-ops’

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KUWAIT CITY, Aug 6: The directive issued by Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to cancel Umrah trips and entertainment activities the cooperative societies offer to shareholders met complete objection, amid skepticism on the part of Chairman of the Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies Dr Saad Al-Shibo and several directors of cooperative societies regarding the real intentions behind the decision. Al-Shibo described the decision as a balloon test toward privatization, and called it an aggressive campaign to denigrate and defame the reputation of cooperative societies and their members accusing them of corruption.

He stressed that error committed by a certain cooperative has been generalized on all, especially the most successful cooperative societies that provide the best of services to shareholders. He said the Ministry of Social Affairs should judge its finance and administrative supervisors, and the union will support them in adopting necessary legal measures if it detects any negligence or violations.

He stressed the union did not hear of any study conducted prior to issuance of the decision, and the matter wasn’t brought to the union’s attention to express its views and recommendations. Al-Shibo also said the union completely rejects decision, and that Umrah trips are carried out through tenders, according to conditions specified by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

By Fares Al Abdan Al Seyassah Staff

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