JEDDAH, 2 November 2004 — Official word for female employees’ dress code in health facilities has not reached several medical establishments despite formal announcements in October and the current emphasis on this issue.

“We’ve not received anything official from the ministry about the dress code for female employees,” said Sabah Ali, an employee at King Abdul Aziz Medical City. “But the hospital has always had its own regulations related to dress code. So this isn’t new to one’s ears.”

A number of Saudi male employees, a receptionist and two doctors, told Arab News: “Our fellow female employees can be distracting with the way they dress. They should become more professional.”

According to Okaz, the Head of Health Affairs in Makkah, Dr. Othman Maimani, stated that a committee comprising officials from the Ministry of Health had placed a criterion for the dress code of all female employees working in public and private health facilities. The dress code is basically modest attire that includes the covering of the head with non-transparent or unembroidered cloth for all female staff and “hijab” for Muslim women. Clothes that show pictures, words or banners that violate Islamic principles are not allowed. Besides, an ID tag with all employment details, such as name, nationality, job, field and department, must be worn at all times. Employees must dress appropriately according to their job definition. Nail polish and all cosmetics are prohibited, but wristwatches and rings are allowed.

Dr. Maimani added that the consequences that face violators are gradual: warning, salary-deduction that would not exceed three months’ pay, denied promotion and then termination.

“What about non-Muslim women?” asked a Canadian nurse at one of the local hospitals. “As professionals working in the medical field we’re more than familiar with what to wear and what not to wear. But I’m not familiar with wearing anything on my head and it may be inconvenient for us.”

A nurse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah told Arab News, “The hospital administration already instructs us on the dress code. We follow the rules according to the hospital regulations. It’s unprofessional of anyone to dress otherwise.”

Earlier this month in Riyadh warnings about violating the dress code were given by the Director General of Health, Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Dakhil. The Interior Ministry instructed the nurses and female doctors to wear clothes that are modest and appropriate for their jobs. This included covering the head and hair in non-transparent and unembroidered cloth as well as avoiding tight or transparent garments with indecent pictures or words counter to the teachings of Islam.

A doctor at the Psychiatric Hospital in Jeddah told Arab News that they had received some official statement regarding the dress code but it had been addressed to nurses only and not to all female employees.

“I’m not surprised that the ministry has officially issued something like this,” said Rima Ziyad, a nurse at a private clinic. “I hate to admit that there are those who need to be told. Dressing professionally and sensibly, calls for sense, some of which many don’t have.”