Alqabas News, 30 May 2026: The Ministry of Social Affairs has announced new regulatory and oversight measures for cooperative societies, including a comprehensive campaign to verify the academic qualifications of all employees, in line with Cabinet directives.
Assistant Undersecretary for Financial, Administrative and Cooperative Affairs (acting), and Director of the General Department of Planning and Administrative Development, Dr. Sayed Issa, confirmed that the ministry has circulated instructions to the Union of Cooperative Societies to begin verifying employees’ academic certificates with the Ministry of Higher Education. Cooperative boards must complete this process within three months.
The first phase will focus on university degrees, followed by a second phase covering sub‑university qualifications, particularly diplomas for support roles. Dr. Issa explained that the initiative is part of a broader plan to restructure the cooperative sector, ensuring that qualifications match job responsibilities and reinforcing institutional governance.
The ministry is also preparing automated competency tests for cooperative employees, similar to those already applied for supervisory positions. Staff who fail to pass will be excluded from their roles, as part of efforts to guarantee that cooperative jobs are filled by qualified personnel with relevant expertise.
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