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Riyadh: The Saudi Shura Council is to summon three ministers to question them on the performance of their ministries, members of council said.
Members of the council told Gulf News that the council notified King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz of its plan to summon the ministers of foreign affairs, finance and labour.
Last February, the Shura Council summoned the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Hashim Yamani, over the price rises of vegetables, fruit and other foodstuffs and other issues related to the ministry's performance.
"The King has approved the Shura requests," said Dr Abdul Aziz Al Thunayyan, Shura member, in press statements published yesterday.
Labour Minister Dr Gazi Al Qusaibi is expected to be the first of the three ministers to be summoned to the Shura.
"The Shura wants to have Al Qusaibi explain some matters related to the performance of his ministry, particularly the issuing of recruitment visas, employment policy in the private sector and other relevant issues," Dr Al Thunayyan said.
Observers believe that Al Qusaibi would face tough questioning in the Shura Council. They attribute this to the fact that a number of businessmen, who are members of the council, are not happy about the minister's policy in granting recruitment visas.
The discussion session with the Finance Minister, Dr Ebrahim Al Assaf, will focus on the regional dimension of the Saudi economy.
"A number of council members have questions on the fate of the GCC common market and other matters related to this topic," Dr Al Thunayyan said.
Prince Saud Al Faisal, Foreign Minister, is to brief the council on the latest developments at the regional and international arena.
Meanwhile, the Shura Council denounced the recent US Congress anti-Opec bill. The council rejected allegations that Opec member states are behind the oil price increase.
DEBATE
Runaway housemaids pose threat to country
The Shura Council has asked the concerned departments to take stringent measures to end the phenomenon of runaway housemaids. The council noted that increasing number of housemaids are absconding and the existence of this illegal workforce is posing security, social, economic and moral problems.
The Shura Council postponed discussion on a draft bill for shifting the weekend holiday from the present Thursday-Friday to Friday-Saturday after some members rejected the amendment. The council decided to send the issue for more study.
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