Sustainable Procurement Policy

Al Maarefa University ensures that all its outsourced activities adhere to principles of fair labor practices, guaranteeing equivalent rights for workers involved in these external agreements. The university upholds these standards through a combination of its internal policies and compliance with Saudi labor laws, which safeguard worker rights regardless of whether the workers are directly employed by the university or outsourced through third-party service providers.

In accordance with Saudi labor law, particularly the Labor Law (Royal Decree No. M/51), employers, including those outsourcing activities, are required to ensure that workers’ rights are not violated. This includes proper contracts, fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal treatment in areas such as health and safety, regardless of whether the employee works directly for the university or for an outsourced contractor.

The university’s commitment is also reflected in its Procurement and Outsourcing Policies, which emphasize the need for third-party service providers to meet the same legal and ethical standards expected within the university. By incorporating these stipulations into contracts with outsourcing partners, Al Maarefa ensures that the rights of all workers, including those working for outsourced vendors, are respected and upheld, particularly in terms of non-discrimination, wages, working hours, and benefits.

This approach ensures a transparent and equitable working environment for all individuals involved with the university, aligning with broader national labor reforms and the university’s commitment to ethical practices.

Procurement and Outsourcing Policies

Al Maarefa University, like other institutions, follows a structured approach to procurement and outsourcing to ensure efficient resource allocation and adherence to both university policies and Saudi regulations. The university’s procurement policy is designed to maintain transparency, fairness, and ethical practices in acquiring goods and services. Here are the key points that would typically govern these areas:

Procurement Policy:

Al Maarefa University is committed to implementing a procurement policy that guarantees fair and competitive processes. The policy is aimed at ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted in alignment with the university’s objectives, and the broader principles of transparency and cost-effectiveness. Key elements include:

  1. Open and Competitive Bidding: For large-scale procurement, the university often uses a competitive bidding process, allowing vendors to submit proposals that meet defined specifications, fostering a fair and transparent process.
  2. Budget Adherence and Planning: Procurement must align with the university’s budgetary allocations, and all purchases should be justifiable in terms of educational, operational, or research needs.
  3. Vendor Evaluation: Al Maarefa University uses clear criteria to evaluate vendors, which includes assessing their ability to deliver quality, meet deadlines, and provide competitive pricing.
  4. Legal Compliance: The university adheres to the applicable Saudi Arabian laws, including the Saudi government’s procurement regulations. All contracts are reviewed to ensure compliance with local labor and commercial laws.
  5. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing: Al Maarefa University also considers the environmental and social impact of its procurement decisions, striving for responsible sourcing and sustainability.

Outsourcing Policy:

Outsourcing is another essential aspect of Al Maarefa University’s operational efficiency. Outsourcing of services such as facilities management, catering, and IT support is allowed, but it must align with the following principles:

  1. Compliance with Labor Laws: When outsourcing services, Al Maarefa ensures that the third-party vendors comply with Saudi labor laws, especially concerning workers’ rights and conditions. This includes proper remuneration, social security contributions, and adherence to health and safety standards.
  2. Worker Rights: The university expects its third-party providers to guarantee equivalent worker rights as defined by both local labor laws and university policies. This ensures that workers provided by contractors are not exploited and are offered fair wages, benefits, and protections under the law.
  3. Monitoring and Accountability: Outsourcing arrangements are regularly monitored for performance and compliance with contractual obligations, as well as for adherence to legal and ethical standards. This is to ensure that no workers face discrimination or unsafe working conditions.
  4. Quality Assurance: Outsourcing contracts are often tied to performance-based metrics that align with the university’s academic and operational standards. Contractors are required to maintain high standards of service delivery.
  5. Contractual Clarity: The university ensures that all outsourced services are governed by detailed contracts that outline the responsibilities of both parties, terms of service, penalties for non-compliance, and mechanisms for resolving disputes.

Both procurement and outsourcing are essential to the effective functioning of the university, enabling it to focus on its educational mission while relying on external expertise and services where necessary. The university’s policies reflect the importance of maintaining ethical standards, transparency, and compliance with local labor and business laws, as outlined by the Saudi Arabian Labor Law and relevant commercial regulations.

For the most up-to-date and specific details regarding these policies, I recommend contacting Al Maarefa University directly or referring to their internal administrative documentation, as detailed procurement or outsourcing policies may not always be publicly available.