Boost for Jeddah saleswomen with new working hours

Manama: Shopping centres in the Saudi city of Jeddah have opted to open lingerie shops only in the afternoon and evening to accommodate the saleswomen upset over split hours.

The decision aims to address the high incidence of Saudi women quitting their jobs for being forced to work two shifts with a break in between.

“We have had around 80 per cent of the women not willing to continue working in the shops,” Mohammad Al Shahri, the head of textile at the Chamber of Jeddah, said.

“Their major complaint was that they had to work two shifts before and after lunch. We agreed to do away with the morning timings and to have only one shift from 4.40pm until 11pm. All traders, complexes and shops have been informed and the plan is being implemented,” he said on Monday.

Around 6,000 women are likely to be employed in lingerie and other women’s accessories shops in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, he said.

“The women’s employment rate right now stands at 40-50 per cent, and recruiting is continuing especially that we are heading towards more stability in the sector,” he said. “Women’s wages now start at SR4,000 (Dh3,917) and they have several perks. We hope that we will be able to improve the salaries and to boost the advantages for the Saudi women working in the sector,” he said.

The labour ministry has been pushing for an aggressive policy to hire women in the lingerie shops and help reform the labour market while managing deep-rooted traditions that did not allow women to work in shops where they would be in contact with male strangers.

A ban was imposed on men working in lingerie shops and local women have been encouraged to apply for positions.

Conservative forces have been lobbying against the ministry for breaking taboos but the government, keen on reforming the market and addressing growing unemployment rates among women, and reducing reliance on foreign labour, has been unwavering in its drive to empower women economically and politically.