JEDDAH, 10 May 2006 — Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi yesterday emphasized the government’s resolve to expand job opportunities for Saudi women in different economic sectors.
“In a decision taken two years ago, the Cabinet allowed women to work in any economic activities,” Al-Gosaibi said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. The Cabinet also instructed authorities to open women’s sections in government departments so that women could follow up their matters on their own.
The minister said the decision to restrict jobs in lingerie shops to Saudi women was taken to increase job opportunities for Saudi women who wanted to work in order to contribute to the support of their families.
The decision regarding lingerie shops will be implemented in two phases.
In the first phase that begins on June 18, jobs in shops along the streets, central markets and major shopping centers will be restricted to Saudi women.
In the second phase set to begin a year later, sales jobs in shops selling abayas and women’s readymade dresses will be restricted to Saudi women.
The ministry has appointed 30 women officials in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to implement the Council of Ministers’ decision.
“Creating jobs for women is not a new thing. It started 25 years ago when the Manpower Council was established,” Al-Gosaibi said.
He said a special religious panel had approved the manpower council’s plan for expanding job opportunities for women in health, education, social care and other areas such as printing, copying, tailoring and embroidery work.
In an earlier decision, the Cabinet allowed women to work in areas such as women’s branches of banks, security checks for women at airports and other entry points and also conducting Islamic dawa work among women.
Al-Gosaibi set out conditions for women’s employment, which included approval by the guardian, jobs must be suitable to women’s nature, work should not prevent women from carrying out their family duties, they should not mix with men and they should wear Islamic dress.
He said the government gave extra importance to women’s jobs after it observed a greater demand for jobs and also because of growing number of women graduates.
The Labor Ministry has put the rate of unemployment among Saudi women at 28 percent.
“The problem is not the lack of an adequate number of Saudi women workers but with creating a better job atmosphere, in terms of salaries and suitable timings,” said Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, deputy Labor minister for planning and development. He said labor offices across the Kingdom were ready to receive applications from women jobseekers.
The Labor Ministry has launched a campaign aimed at employing 200,000 women. Some of the jobs identified for Saudi women are receptionists, tailors, banquet hall employees, nutritionists, governesses, photographers, beauticians, caterers, and hospitality and recreation industry workers.
