KUWAIT CITY, Oct 27: The Ministry of Social Affairs has launched a series of administrative measures to ensure compliance with the Cooperatives Law, its amendments, and related ministerial regulations by cooperative societies, officials said on Monday.

Dr. Sayed Issa, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Financial, Administrative, and Cooperative Affairs at the Ministry, revealed that over the past three months, six investigation committees and five field inspection teams have been formed to review the work and accounts of cooperative societies.

In a press statement, Issa said three of the six investigation committees have completed their work, and the ministry is close to finalizing legal procedures against the concerned cooperatives, depending on the type and extent of any violations. “All cases are documented with conclusive evidence to avoid injustice to any party,” he noted.

Issa stressed that, under direct instructions from Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, the ministry acts urgently on any suspected violations reported by financial and administrative auditors or complaints submitted by shareholders. “This is achieved by forming specialized committees and teams to safeguard the associations’ financial positions and protect shareholders’ funds, which are a trust in our hands,” he said.

He highlighted the ministry’s ongoing expansion of field inspections to cover the majority of cooperatives nationwide. “Firm action will be taken if violations, transgressions, or deliberate misuse of powers by boards of directors are confirmed, threatening shareholders’ funds or harming the cooperative,” Issa said. He described cooperatives as a “huge edifice” and a “safety valve for food security in the country.”

Issa emphasized that the ministry remains committed to achieving the ultimate goal of cooperative work: providing high-quality goods at cooperative prices to ease the financial burden on citizens and residents. “The Ministry of Social Affairs is proceeding with all necessary measures to confront any cooperative corruption until the violation is rectified,” he added.