A CRACKDOWN has been launched across the nation against rogue car cleaning and polishing companies which are employing undocumented workers and /or failing to obtain the proper permits.
Inspectors from the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry conducted raids on Thursday night and initiated legal action against illegal workers and homeowners who use the services at their doorstep.
The ministry’s assistant under-secretary for control and resources Abdulaziz Al Ashraf said they had a zero-tolerance approach against illegal workers employed by firms that do not get permits.
“The inspection campaign was conducted in co-operation with the Southern Governorate Police Directorate, Labour Market Regulatory Authority and the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs against car cleaning and polishing companies,” Mr Al Ashraf said yesterday.
“It was found that illegal workers were being employed by these companies which were offering their services at homeowners’ premises and on public roads without proper permits.”
Seized
He said inspectors seized different cleaning equipment used by the workers, and even booked violations against citizens who were renting out their homes without permit to these companies to conduct their operations.
“Citizens taking part in such illegal activities by renting out part of their homes to these car cleaning companies are violating the law and causing traffic jams.”
Mr Al Ashraf said the undocumented workers employed by these car cleaning companies worked on sidewalks, roads, public parks and in front of buildings without any permits, causing traffic congestion and disturbance.
“We have registered violations mainly related to employing illegal workers and seized items including machines used for car polishing and cleaning,” he added.
“These illegal activities are competing with licensed services that pay rentals and other fees.”
The official added that inspectors would continue with their campaign by visiting different locations in the country in order to control the rogue businesses.
“We have put together a plan covering multiple locations in the country to curb these illegal practices and appeal to the public to only use services offered by licensed companies,” said Mr Al Ashraf.
Inspections have been stepped up this year against illegal workers, mainly street vendors, with the illegal ‘Friday bazaar’ that attracted hundreds of labourers in a secluded part of Ras Zuwayed in the Southern Governorate shut down.
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