IWFM Withdraws from Saudi Memorandum of Understanding

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14 October 2024

Due to EDI concerns from the existing membership community, IWFM has withdrawn from a Memorandum of Understanding with two membership associations in Saudi Arabia.

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) had planned to explore a collaboration with the Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA), a professional body and FMTech, a company owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 9 September 2024 in Riyadh and there were plans to create specialised multilingual training programmes and to generate more effective FM services in Saudi Arabia.

IWFM has since withdrawn the agreement citing “significant concern in parts of our community who questioned its compatibility with the Institute’s values and its stance on equity, diversity and inclusion.”

An official statement reads: “IWFM is a diverse, inclusive and progressive community. We acknowledge that we did not get the engagement and presentation right on this occasion and we regret the dismay this has caused within our community.

“We want to be able to progress professional standards in WFM everywhere while remaining loyal to our values, helping to integrate standards and fairness. A balanced framework will help us to determine the best way to do that.”

Human Rights Concerns in Saudi Arabia

Homoseuxal activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia and the government provides no legal protections for LGBTQIA+ rights. Saudi Arabia has sentenced people convicted of homosexuality to a range of penalties including corporal punishment such as “flogging” and even the death penalty. In May 2023, the Saudi Tourism Authority updated its FAQ page to state that LGBTQ visitors are welcome to visit. 

Women and girls face discrimination in law, for example, fathers are default guardians of children, women cannot apply for a passport or travel outside the country without their male guardian’s approval, nor can they study abroad without approval.

Picture: a photograph of IWFM CEO Linda Hausmanis. Image Credit: IWFM

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 October 2024

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