The Chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce praised the government’s commitment to compensating businesses that had entered into contracts with it prior to January 1, 1434 AH, in exchange for the decision to impose a 2,400-riyal fee on labor, noting that the committee formed by a Cabinet decision has completed drafting the principles, regulations, and mechanisms for the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) to implement them.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zamil emphasized that this mechanism, which the Fund will begin implementing—including the registration of compensation claims from eligible establishments—will help improve the conditions of these establishments and alleviate the financial burdens they have incurred, especially since they represent construction companies—the largest economic sector in terms of its contribution to the implementation of development projects— which reinforces their role and responsibilities toward the nation, keeps pace with the Kingdom’s development boom, and ensures the implementation of infrastructure projects in an exemplary manner; this, in turn, has a positive impact on the sector, its investments, and the national economy.

On behalf of the business sector, Al-Zamil expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, for his concern—may God support him—for the interests of the business sectors and their role in strengthening the national economy.

For his part, Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Hammadi, a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Chamber’s Contractors Committee, highlighted the implications of this step for the Kingdom’s contracting sector, stating that the committee—formed by a decision of the Council of Ministers—to establish a compensation mechanism and ensure its prompt disbursement will help limit the losses of contractors executing government projects, and strengthen their financial positions, which have been affected by the imposition of a 2,400 riyal fee per expatriate worker.