Latest news with #Istithlaa
Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Sets New Rules For Food Trucks, Bans Operations After Midnight
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has introduced a set of sweeping regulations governing the operations of mobile vending carts and food trucks across the Kingdom, part of an effort to standardise the sector and bolster food safety standards. The new requirements, approved by Majed Al Hogail, Minster of Municipal Affairs and Housing, include mandatory installation of surveillance cameras inside all vending units, and a blanket prohibition on operations past midnight — unless vendors obtain a 24-hour activity permit. The updated rules also outline strict limits on where mobile vendors can operate and what activities are permissible within the carts. Food truck and mobile cart operators have been granted a 180-day grace period to comply with the new regulations. Under the new framework, vending is strictly prohibited near traffic lights, major road junctions, emergency exits, gas stations, and areas with high vehicle congestion. Vendors are also barred from operating near environmentally hazardous zones, such as waste dumps, sewage sites, or areas that emit gas and smoke. Locations allocated for emergency services or people with disabilities are off-limits as well. In a move aimed at maintaining public order and health standards, the regulations ban smoking, loudspeakers, and external audio equipment on all mobile units. Food preparation must take place inside the cart, with an exception made only if firewood or charcoal is used — requiring the use of a separate cart. The sale of tobacco products is explicitly banned. All operators must install security cameras that comply with the Kingdom's Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Additionally, individuals will be permitted to hold only one licence per cart, trailer, or semi-trailer, and must obtain approvals from the General Traffic Department and the relevant regulatory body overseeing their commercial activity. Temporary exemptions will apply to vehicles participating in registered public events. The new rules come after a period of public consultation held via the national 'Istithlaa' platform from May 13 to 28, during which citizens and stakeholders were invited to submit feedback. Officials say the measures are intended to strike a balance between facilitating private sector investment and ensuring compliance with health and safety protocols. The ministry noted that the reforms are part of a broader strategy to create a regulatory environment that supports commercial activity while preserving public health. All licencing procedures — including issuance, renewal, amendment, and cancellation — will fall under the purview of the Municipal Licensing Procedures System. The updated regulations reflect the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to modernise its municipal governance and attract entrepreneurial activity, particularly in the growing mobile food sector, while ensuring that public welfare remains a top priority.
Daily Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Saudi Arabia Introduces New Rules for Food Trucks and Mobile Carts
The Saudi Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, has officially approved new rules for operating food trucks and mobile vending carts in the Kingdom. As part of the changes, food trucks will now need to install security cameras inside, and all operations must stop by midnight unless they have a special 24-hour permit. Owners are being given 180 days to make the necessary adjustments. To ensure public safety and smooth traffic flow, mobile vendors will no longer be allowed to operate near traffic lights, busy intersections, road entry and exit points, police or ambulance stations, Civil Defense areas, or parking spaces for people with disabilities. They also can't park near environmentally hazardous areas like garbage dumps, sewage sites, or gas stations, nor can they operate in residential neighborhoods or block emergency exits. Other key rules include: No smoking, loudspeakers, or external mobile speakers inside or around the carts. All cooking must happen inside the cart—cooking outside is not allowed. If charcoal or firewood is used, a separate cart must be used for that. Selling any type of tobacco is completely banned. All vendors must also follow the Saudi Food and Drug Authority's regulations and install cameras as per the Kingdom's security surveillance laws. Each person is allowed to hold only one license for a food truck or mobile cart, valid anywhere in Saudi Arabia. These new regulations were made available for public feedback between May 13 and 28 through the 'Istithlaa' platform before final approval. Officials say the new rules aim to make the sector safer and more organized, helping protect public health while encouraging investment and making the process easier for aspiring business owners. It's also expected to raise food safety standards and clearly define where these businesses can operate.
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia issues new rules for food trucks, bans late-night sales
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail has approved new municipal requirements for mobile vending carts and food trucks. These include installing surveillance cameras inside the carts and prohibiting activities after 12:00 in the night. Owners of these vehicles are granted a correction period of 180 days, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. It is prohibited to practice this activity at traffic lights, intersections, entrances and exits to main and secondary roads, and areas with high traffic density. It will also prohibit sales at locations designated for police, traffic, Civil Defense, ambulances, and parking spaces for people with disabilities, as well as in areas not permitted by the municipality. Parking near sources of environmental pollutants, such as waste dumps, gas and smoke emissions, sewage sites, and others is also prohibited. Parking in front of emergency exits or evacuation assembly points near facilities, as well as near gas stations, is not allowed. Parking within residential neighborhoods is also prohibited. All activities will be prohibited after 12:00 AM unless there is a 24-hour permit. Smoking inside vehicles, loudspeakers, or mobile external speakers will also be prohibited. Vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers which are participating in events will be excluded from this requirement. Meals are prohibited from being prepared outside the cart. If charcoal or firewood is used for cooking, meals or beverages must be prepared in a separate cart. The provision of tobacco products of all kinds is also prohibited. Food establishments must adhere to the activities, instructions, and executive and technical regulations issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. They must also install surveillance cameras in the cart in accordance with the Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Individuals are also entitled to issue one license for a mobile cart, trailer, or semi-trailer across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing noted that the draft municipal requirements for mobile carts were made public through the "Istithlaa" platform from May 13-28, for the purpose of public survey and feedback prior to approval and implementation. The new terms and conditions aim to regulate this sector, encourage investment, and facilitate requirements for investors and beneficiaries. This step will provide an appropriate regulatory environment for commercial investment, control development, and increase compliance rates. This will have a positive impact on food safety and preserve community health. It also aims to assist those wishing to invest in this field and regulate mobile health, food, and non-food commercial activities by identifying appropriate locations for their activities and raising food safety standards. According to the new requirements, the procedures for issuing, renewing, amending, and canceling licenses will be in accordance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its implementing regulations. Approval from the General Traffic Department and the entity supervising the activity will be required if it is essential to run the activity.
Saudi Gazette
7 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Surveillance cameras must for mobile vending carts
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail has approved new municipal requirements for mobile vending carts and food trucks. These include installing surveillance cameras inside the carts and prohibiting activities after 12:00 in the night. Owners of these vehicles are granted a correction period of 180 days, according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. It is prohibited to practice this activity at traffic lights, intersections, entrances and exits to main and secondary roads, and areas with high traffic density. It will also prohibit sales at locations designated for police, traffic, Civil Defense, ambulances, and parking spaces for people with disabilities, as well as in areas not permitted by the municipality. Parking near sources of environmental pollutants, such as waste dumps, gas and smoke emissions, sewage sites, and others is also prohibited. Parking in front of emergency exits or evacuation assembly points near facilities, as well as near gas stations, is not allowed. Parking within residential neighborhoods is also prohibited. All activities will be prohibited after 12:00 AM unless there is a 24-hour permit. Smoking inside vehicles, loudspeakers, or mobile external speakers will also be prohibited. Vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers which are participating in events will be excluded from this requirement. Meals are prohibited from being prepared outside the cart. If charcoal or firewood is used for cooking, meals or beverages must be prepared in a separate cart. The provision of tobacco products of all kinds is also prohibited. Food establishments must adhere to the activities, instructions, and executive and technical regulations issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. They must also install surveillance cameras in the cart in accordance with the Law of the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras and its executive regulations. Individuals are also entitled to issue one license for a mobile cart, trailer, or semi-trailer across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing noted that the draft municipal requirements for mobile carts were made public through the "Istithlaa" platform from May 13-28, for the purpose of public participation and feedback prior to approval and implementation. The new terms and conditions aim to regulate this sector, encourage investment, and facilitate requirements for investors and beneficiaries. This step will provide an appropriate regulatory environment for commercial investment, control development, and increase compliance rates. This will have a positive impact on food safety and preserve community health. It also aims to assist those wishing to invest in this field and regulate mobile health, food, and non-food commercial activities by identifying appropriate locations for their activities and raising food safety standards. According to the new requirements, the procedures for issuing, renewing, amending, and canceling licenses will be in accordance with the Municipal Licensing Procedures System and its implementing regulations. Approval from the General Traffic Department and the entity supervising the activity will be required if it is essential to run the activity.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi HR Ministry proposes revised penalties for Labor Law violations
RIYADH - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has proposed revision of the penalties for violations of Labor Law and its executive regulations. Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi has decided to update the list of violations and penalties, based on the new amendments to the Labor Law and its executive regulations. The Ministry published the table of violations and penalties on the Istithlaa public survey platform, seeking the opinion of the stakeholders and the public before implementing the new proposals. The ministry noted that this update aims to clearly and precisely define violations for both establishments and inspectors, reducing the need for discretion and personal judgment in implementing regulations across different categories of companies and establishments. These updates help address ongoing changes in the work environment, such as flexible work and remote work. The clarification of penalties provides transparency, encouraging establishments to comply with regulations and ensuring the rights of both workers and employers. The table published by the ministry includes a wide range of violations, ranging from serious to minor. The fines imposed vary based on the establishment's classification into one of three categories: establishment with 20 or less than 20 workers; 21 to 49 workers; and 50 or more workers. The violations are also classified as serious and minor. The following are the fines for various serious Labor Law violations: 1- SR200,000 — SR250,000 for practicing the activity of recruiting, outsourcing, or providing labor services without a license. 2- SR200,000 for employing Saudis without a license 3- SR10,000 for an employer for hiring a non-Saudi worker without a work permit. The fines will be multiplied on the basis of the number of workers. 4- SR2,000 — SR8,000 for employer for hiring non-Saudi workers in professions or activities restricted to Saudis, or registering a Saudi worker without a valid employment relationship. 5- SR10,000 — SR20,000 for an employer allowing his employee to work for a third party or for their own account. 6- SR5000 for an employee working for another employer. 7- SR1,500 — SR5,000 for the employer if he fails to comply with occupational safety and health regulations. 8- SR1,000 for employing a worker under the sun or in adverse weather conditions without taking precautions. 9- SR1,000 — 3,000 for the employer's failure to bear the fees and costs required or to pass them on to the workers 10- SR300 for the failure to pay workers' wages and entitlements on time or withholding wages, which may be multiplied by the number of workers. 11- SR1000—SR3000 for any discriminatory action by an employer. 12- SR1000—SR3000 for failure to form a committee to investigate behavioral violations, as well as for failure to investigate and recommend disciplinary action within five days, or failure to impose disciplinary action within 30 days 13- SR1,000 to 2,000 for employing children under the age of 15 14- SR1,000 for keeping worker's passport or residency permit. 15- SR3000—SR5000 for failure to facilitate the tasks of supervisors and employees assigned to supervision 16- SR1,000—3,000 for failure to comply with the regulations for advertising job vacancies and conducting interviews 17- SR1000 for failure to provide maternity leave for working women 18- SR500 for failure to provide services and facilitate arrangements to enable people with disabilities to perform their work. Fines for the non-serious violations include the following: 1- SR1000—SR3000 for failure to grant the worker the approved weekly rest period, or increasing work hours without additional payment, or failing to adhere to daily rest periods 2- SR1000—SR3000 for employer's failure to provide a worker with a service certificate and return their documents after the termination of the employment relationship 3- SR300—SR1000 for failure to provide medical insurance for the workers and their family members. 4- SR300—SR1000 for failure to disclose information about operation and maintenance contracts with government agencies or establishments in which the state holds a minimum 51 percent stake or disclosure of incorrect or incomplete information 5- SR1000 for employing Saudi male workers in activities restricted to Saudi female workers. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
