Khaberni - The Parliamentary Administrative Committee held a meeting today, Sunday, chaired by MP Khalifa Al-Diyat, to discuss the service procurement file in the Public Food and Drug Administration, with the presence of the president of the administration's board, Dr. Rana Obaidat.
Al-Diyat emphasized that the service procurement file in this institution is a national strategic issue, given its direct link to food safety, drug quality, and protecting citizens' health, calling for giving priority to contract employees in calculating years of experience.
He explained that supporting the institution and enabling it to perform its regulatory tasks requires the integration of parliamentary, administrative, and legislative efforts to ensure the continuity of oversight and improved efficiency across various work locations.
Al-Diyat continued, stating that addressing the service procurement file is not limited to employment aspects alone, but also includes legal and regulatory aspects.
He pointed out that the committee discussed the reality of the institution and the challenges it faces, stressing the importance of activating regulatory arms in all regions of the kingdom, especially at border crossings and key centers, to ensure food safety and drug quality.
For her part, Obaidat explained that the institution faces a significant shortage of human resources, with vacancies exceeding 2,000 positions, while the actual number of inspectors working at some sites is only about 20, which multiplies the burdens on employees and makes resorting to the service procurement system a necessity to ensure the continuity of regulatory work.
She indicated that employees under the service procurement system perform essential tasks including inspection, monitoring, and ensuring food and drug compliance with national standards, yet they face legal and administrative challenges, particularly related to the granting of judicial police authority, emphasizing the importance of adhering to legal principles and existing legislation to ensure the effectiveness of the monitoring and the safety of the procedures.
