The National Committee for Steel Industry in the Council of Saudi Chambers has joined the largest Arab gathering of iron producers, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Joining the Arab Iron & Steel Union enhances the Kingdom’s position in the sector, SPA reported, citing a statement from the committee. Based in Algeria, the union is among the bodies approved by the League of Arab States and works to achieve Arab integration in the field of steel and iron industry. Raed Al-Ajaji, Chairman of the National Committee for Steel Industry in the Council of Saudi Chambers, said that joining Arab Iron and Steel Union is a qualitative achievement. According to al-Ajaji, iron and steel represent some of the most important strategic economic sectors, the backbone of the construction and development process in the Kingdom, and an essential element in the discussions and agenda of the G20 summit meetings. Al-Ajaji explained that the membership would give access to the Arab database related to the steel industry, related reports, studies, and statistics. Moreover, it influences the performance and trends of the steel sector in the region by allowing participation in market development programs and initiatives, communicating with experts, specialists, and industry giants, and joining work teams and expert committees in the field. Al-Ajaji stressed the Committees support for the efforts and activities of the Arab Iron and Steel Union, especially in terms of achieving economic integration, developing the steel industry in the region, and enhancing its competitiveness against foreign counterparts. In other news, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that it will issue a ban on working under the sun between noon and 3:00 p.m. starting Wednesday. The decision will go into effect on June 15 and continue until September 15, to safeguard the health and safety of workers during the hot summer months. The ministry called on employers to outline working hours and implement the decision to limit injuries and diseases, and to also improve the productivity of employees. Employees and employers can find more information on the procedures for worker health and vocational safety on the ministry’s website.