RIYADH — In the heart of Riyadh’s luminous cityscape, a revelation has emerged from the shadows. The National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment has brought to light numerous instances that fall under the veil of commercial concealment, also known as “tasattur.” It diligently elucidates the fine line between this clandestine practice and the covert protection of labor violations.
This unveiling casts a spotlight on diverse scenarios constituting tasattur, such as a Saudi citizen surreptitiously entrusting a commercial enterprise to a non-Saudi national in exchange for a clandestine monthly remuneration. Equally, the program uncovers instances where non-Saudis engage as silent partners in commercial endeavors without the requisite foreign investment license. It also exposes the subtle art of a non-Saudi functioning in commercial capacities under the guise of a Saudi identity, whether it be in brokerage or mediation roles. Moreover, the empowerment of non-Saudis, including domestic workers, to partake in commercial pursuits is unveiled as a covert practice.
Drawing a crucial distinction, the program accentuates the dichotomy between commercial cover-ups and those concealing violations against workers. Commercial cover-ups involve foreign laborers managing registered establishments under the name of a Saudi citizen, reaping profits without lawful adherence. Conversely, the agreement to conceal worker violations manifests when a Saudi citizen sponsors a non-Saudi individual, extracting a monthly fee without exercising supervisory oversight.
This program asserts that commercial concealment is a grave offense, as the state has exclusively entrusted Saudi citizens with the privilege of engaging in commercial enterprises. It defines commercial concealment as an infringement where a citizen facilitates a non-Saudi to partake in prohibited commercial activities without the requisite foreign investment license, thus dubbing it a crime against the state-granted right to conduct commercial work.
