Latest news with #RoyalDecree
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
SFDA shuts frozen food factory, halts production lines over serious violations
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has shut down a frozen ready-to-eat food factory and suspended production lines at several other facilities after uncovering serious health violations that posed direct risks to consumer safety. The enforcement actions followed inspection campaigns carried out last month as part of SFDA's proactive monitoring program to ensure compliance with national food safety standards and prevent potential foodborne illnesses. In one facility producing pickles and ready meals, inspectors found poor hygiene, unsafe operating practices, and ineffective safety supervision — conditions conducive to the growth of harmful pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella spp., all of which can cause acute food poisoning. Although the facility was given a deadline to correct the violations under Article 12 of the Food Law (Royal Decree No. M/38, dated 28/4/1440H), it failed to comply within the required timeframe. This led to the full suspension of its production lines and the initiation of legal proceedings. In a separate case, violations were detected at another facility producing ready-to-eat poultry products. These included employing unlicensed workers, lacking a valid HACCP food safety certification, storing expired food without clear separation, and using corroded, unsafe food-contact equipment. The SFDA imposed fines under Article 20 of the Food Law's executive regulations and partially suspended the facility's operations until corrective measures are taken. Additionally, the authority suspended 11 production lines across several dairy and frozen pastry plants after lab tests confirmed contamination with Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of foodborne illness. All facilities were instructed to implement corrective action plans within 30 days, including upgrading quality systems, retraining staff, and replacing non-compliant equipment. Follow-up inspections will ensure compliance. The SFDA emphasized that these actions reflect its commitment to preventive public health protection and are supported by legal provisions allowing stringent measures, including suspension, imprisonment, or fines up to SR10 million. The authority urged consumers to report any suspected food violations via the unified hotline (19999), affirming that food safety is a shared responsibility from production to the dining table.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysian aid reaches Gaza after six-month blockade via Jordan
KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian humanitarian mission has successfully delivered 2,400 tonnes of aid to Gaza through a Jordan-led convoy, marking the first cross-border delivery since Israel blocked all access to the territory on March 2. Karisma Humanitarian Aid Mission (KHOM) director Nik Marina Datuk Hussein confirmed that the supplies, including food boxes and infant formula funded by public donations, were transported on four trucks as part of a 60-truck convoy coordinated by the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF). The effort was supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Central Kitchen. The convoy entered Gaza early yesterday through the King Hussein Bridge in Jordan, becoming the sixth humanitarian delivery organised by Jordan in recent days. 'The aid from KHOM had been stored in Jordan since February due to the closure but was immediately handed over to JAF once clearance was granted. 'We were informed the convoy has now reached Gaza, with KHOM's aid among the first to reach starving residents,' Nik Marina said in a statement today. She explained that the breakthrough came after Jordanian authorities confirmed on July 26 that KHOM's aid had been approved for entry, making it the first Malaysian NGO to deliver external aid to Gaza in nearly six months. Nik Marina expressed gratitude to Jordan's King Abdullah II for issuing the Royal Decree that enabled the mission, as well as to JAF, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), and other agencies for prioritising KHOM's supplies in Jordan's sixth aid mission to Gaza. 'The political truce in Gaza announced by Israel remains fragile. Even before the war, Gaza needed no less than 1,000 truckloads of food a day, let alone now when starvation is being used as a weapon of war,' she said. She assured that KHOM will continue its relief efforts with public support, emphasising the trust Malaysians have placed in the organisation since the conflict began on Oct 7, 2023. Donations can be made via KHOM's official website at – Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysian aid finally enters Gaza after six-month blockade
Children jostle for free meals at a charity kitchen. KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian humanitarian mission has successfully delivered 2,400 tonnes of aid to Gaza in a Jordan-led convoy, the first cross-border delivery since Israel closed off all access to the territory on Feb 2. Karisma Humanitarian Aid Mission (KHOM) director Nik Marina Datuk Hussein said the supplies, comprising food boxes and infant formula funded by public donations, were transported on four trucks that joined a 60-truck convoy coordinated by the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Central Kitchen. The convoy, which entered Gaza early Monday (July 28) through the King Hussein Bridge in Jordan, was the sixth humanitarian delivery organised by Jordan in recent days. "The aid from KHOM had been stored in Jordan since February due to the closure, but was immediately handed over to JAF once clearance was granted. We were informed the convoy has now reached Gaza, with KHOM's aid among the first to reach starving residents," she said in a statement on Tuesday (July 29). Nik Marina said the breakthrough followed confirmation from Jordanian authorities on July 26 that KHOM's aid had been approved for entry, making it the first Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) to deliver external aid to Gaza in almost six months. She thanked Jordan's King Abdullah II for issuing the Royal Decree that enabled the mission, as well as JAF, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) and other agencies for prioritising KHOM's supplies in Jordan's sixth aid mission to Gaza. "The political truce in Gaza announced by Israel remains fragile. Even before the war, Gaza needed no less than 1,000 truckloads of food a day, let alone now when starvation is being used as a weapon of war," she said. She added that the delivery reflects the trust of Malaysians who have been contributing since the conflict erupted on Oct 7, 2023 and assured that KHOM will continue its relief work with public support. Donations to KHOM can be made via its official website at – Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysian Aid Finally Enters Gaza After Six-Month Blockade
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian humanitarian mission has successfully delivered 2,400 tonnes of aid to Gaza in a Jordan-led convoy, the first cross-border delivery since Israel closed off all access to the territory on Feb 2. Karisma Humanitarian Aid Mission (KHOM) director Nik Marina Datuk Hussein said the supplies, comprising food boxes and infant formula funded by public donations, were transported on four trucks that joined a 60-truck convoy coordinated by the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and World Central Kitchen. The convoy, which entered Gaza early yesterday through the King Hussein Bridge in Jordan, was the sixth humanitarian delivery organised by Jordan in recent days. 'The aid from KHOM had been stored in Jordan since February due to the closure but was immediately handed over to JAF once clearance was granted. We were informed the convoy has now reached Gaza, with KHOM's aid among the first to reach starving residents,' she said in a statement today. Nik Marina said the breakthrough followed confirmation from Jordanian authorities on July 26 that KHOM's aid had been approved for entry, making it the first Malaysian non-governmental organisation (NGO) to deliver external aid to Gaza in almost six months. She thanked Jordan's King Abdullah II for issuing the Royal Decree that enabled the mission, as well as JAF, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) and other agencies for prioritising KHOM's supplies in Jordan's sixth aid mission to Gaza. 'The political truce in Gaza announced by Israel remains fragile. Even before the war, Gaza needed no less than 1,000 truckloads of food a day, let alone now when starvation is being used as a weapon of war,' she said. She added that the delivery reflects the trust of Malaysians who have been contributing since the conflict erupted on Oct 7, 2023 and assured that KHOM will continue its relief work with public support. Donations to KHOM can be made via its official website at
Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Rewarding employees a necessity in today's world
Working in the public sector in Oman and elsewhere typically involved climbing the career ladder gradually, with longevity and perseverance being the reward system. On the other hand, private sector employees often faced unpredictable challenges within their organisations, such as profitability concerns, biased evaluations and a lack of social security nets. Under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, a transformation has been occurring in the labour market, including the public sector, making them more attuned to the needs and challenges of the global economy. The new performance-driven reform is pushing employees to think bigger and act bolder by emphasising accountability through self-appraisals and personal goals. Employees are encouraged to explore beyond their roles, pursue innovative ideas and understand how their contributions impact the broader success of the country. While not perfect, this shift is an important step towards promoting meritocracy and healthy competition in the workplace. The private sector is also adapting, with a recent decision confirming that annual increments for Omanis will be based on evaluations or performance reports rather than a flat salary hike across the board. This ensures that the efforts of private sector employees are recognised, with raises directly tied to performance. Excellent evaluations will result in a five-per cent hike, followed by four per cent for very good evaluations, three per cent for good evaluations and two per cent for acceptable evaluations. Poor performance will not result in a raise, emphasising the importance of accountability and discipline. This shift is significant as it focuses on making the job market competitive not only for the local economy but also at regional and global levels to attract more foreign investors. Incentives are beneficial as they boost morale, increase productivity and enhance job satisfaction. By rewarding employees for achieving goals, companies motivate them to perform better, benefiting both the individual and the organisation. Incentives do not always have to be financial; gestures like recognising employee achievements in meetings, providing resources for training and development, and offering flexible work options can also improve morale and work-life balance. As the labour market evolves, it is important to adapt to new challenges and uncertainties, such as advancements in technology like Artificial Intelligence, to ensure continued success and growth. Oman has undergone significant labour reforms under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, primarily through the promulgation of the new Labour Law (Royal Decree No 53/2023) and the Social Protection Law (Royal Decree No 52/2023). These legislative changes, unveiled in July 2023, aim to modernise the labour market, enhance worker protections, promote Omanisation and establish a more comprehensive social security framework, aligning with the broader objectives of Oman Vision 2040. A significant focus of the reforms is on Omanisation, the national policy to prioritise Omani citizens in the workforce. The new Labour Law stipulates that employment is a right for Omanis and restricts non-Omani employment to specific conditions. Employers are now required to submit annual plans for Omanisation and workforce replacement, detailing Omani worker numbers, salaries, gender and job vacancies. Further reforms include the implementation of a Wage Protection System. This electronic system, developed with the Central Bank of Oman, ensures that private sector employers transfer workers' wages directly to their bank accounts within seven days of the due date, aiming to prevent delayed or non-payment.
