25/08/2026
Share:
25/08/2026
Share:
Minister of Social Affairs announces key changes to charitable associations' regulations.
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 25: The Cooperative Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs, in coordination with the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN), is conducting surprise inspection of cooperative societies, starting with Al-Qadisiyah Cooperative Society. Acting Undersecretary of the ministry Dr. Sayed Issa confirmed that the selection of cooperatives for suprise inspection is random, indicating that inspections will expand in the coming period to include other cooperatives in various governorates. He pointed out that the joint inspection tours aim to ensure the cooperatives’ compliance with regulations and laws, and that work is carried out according to proper procedures. He indicated that the inspectors looked into the food supply chain Al-Qadisiyah Cooperative Society, from receiving and distributing goods, to methods of preservation and storage, isolation of damaged items and handling of returns. He revealed that the inspected products include cheeses, olives, oils, biscuits, cocoa, pasta and others. He stated that no violation was recorded during the inspection tour, but certain observations were referred to the management of the cooperative and the latter immediately took corrective action.
Financial
He explained that the ministry is in charge of monitoring the financial and administrative operations of cooperative societies, as well as overseeing their boards of directors, while other government entities handle matters related to their respective jurisdictions. He urged the public and the shareholders to submit their complaints to the relevant authority. He said reports about spoiled, damaged or expired food fall under the purview of PAFN, while complaints regarding price increases or discrepancies must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and comments related to licensing are submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or Kuwait Municipality. He added that labor-related issues between cooperative societies and their employees fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). He went on to say that in case serious financial or administrative violations are confirmed, the Ministry of Social Affairs shall take legal action to dismiss or dissolve the boards of directors, and then appoint a new board to correct the path of the concerned cooperative. He affirmed that several cooperative societies have started amending their operating methods and adhering to proper procedures.
He explained that the ministry is in charge of monitoring the financial and administrative operations of cooperative societies, as well as overseeing their boards of directors, while other government entities handle matters related to their respective jurisdictions. He urged the public and the shareholders to submit their complaints to the relevant authority. He said reports about spoiled, damaged or expired food fall under the purview of PAFN, while complaints regarding price increases or discrepancies must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and comments related to licensing are submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry or Kuwait Municipality. He added that labor-related issues between cooperative societies and their employees fall under the jurisdiction of the Public Authority for Manpower (PAM). He went on to say that in case serious financial or administrative violations are confirmed, the Ministry of Social Affairs shall take legal action to dismiss or dissolve the boards of directors, and then appoint a new board to correct the path of the concerned cooperative. He affirmed that several cooperative societies have started amending their operating methods and adhering to proper procedures.
Importance
He stressed the importance of preserving the cooperative sector, considering it is a vital economic and social institution and a unique system in the region. He pointed out that the funds of the cooperative societies belong to the shareholders and that their services are for those residing in the areas where they are located. He asserted that the Ministry of Social Affairs is open to the idea of developing the management of central markets, operational methods of supermarkets and related investments, while affirming the issuance of a new regulation (no. 196/2026), which will be implemented once the electronic platform is completed ahead of schedule. On the other hand, Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, Director General for Inspection and Control Affairs at PAFN, said that the inspection tour was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs to strengthen cooperation between the two entities and to ensure the safety of food products offered to the public and those stored in the cooperative societies. He disclosed that the inspection tour included assessing the warehouses, verifying food preservation and storage methods, and inspecting the area designated for storing spoiled goods to ensure its separation from the area designated for food preparation. He confirmed that some minor violations were recorded and addressed, and the administration of the cooperative vowed not to repeat such violations. He said the inspectors will visit the cooperative again within three days to ensure full compliance with the regulations. He urged the consumers to report food safety concerns to PAFN through its hotline or the ‘Tawasul’ platform. Meanwhile, inspectors from the Hawally Governorate Inspection Department at PAFN inspected many food establishments. This resulted in the issuance of 11 violation citations and disposal of 96 kilograms of adulterated meat product and those whose origin is unknown. Other violations are failure to comply with health and sanitation regulations and some employees have no health certificates.
He stressed the importance of preserving the cooperative sector, considering it is a vital economic and social institution and a unique system in the region. He pointed out that the funds of the cooperative societies belong to the shareholders and that their services are for those residing in the areas where they are located. He asserted that the Ministry of Social Affairs is open to the idea of developing the management of central markets, operational methods of supermarkets and related investments, while affirming the issuance of a new regulation (no. 196/2026), which will be implemented once the electronic platform is completed ahead of schedule. On the other hand, Dr. Saud Al-Jalal, Director General for Inspection and Control Affairs at PAFN, said that the inspection tour was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs to strengthen cooperation between the two entities and to ensure the safety of food products offered to the public and those stored in the cooperative societies. He disclosed that the inspection tour included assessing the warehouses, verifying food preservation and storage methods, and inspecting the area designated for storing spoiled goods to ensure its separation from the area designated for food preparation. He confirmed that some minor violations were recorded and addressed, and the administration of the cooperative vowed not to repeat such violations. He said the inspectors will visit the cooperative again within three days to ensure full compliance with the regulations. He urged the consumers to report food safety concerns to PAFN through its hotline or the ‘Tawasul’ platform. Meanwhile, inspectors from the Hawally Governorate Inspection Department at PAFN inspected many food establishments. This resulted in the issuance of 11 violation citations and disposal of 96 kilograms of adulterated meat product and those whose origin is unknown. Other violations are failure to comply with health and sanitation regulations and some employees have no health certificates.
By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
