Owners and operators of stores selling women's clothing and accessories want further discussions with Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh on the “unclear” regulations regarding the employment of Saudi women, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported Wednesday. The ministry had stated earlier that its doors are open for talks. Khaled Al-Saqqaf, Director of Human Resources at Radwa, a perfume and cosmetics company, said the decision is “the issue of the year”. Shops that sell perfume and cosmetics are not for women only, he said, adding that “we hope the ministry opens a channel for discussion because the decision is unclear and unspecified.” He said it would not be easy to implement the ministry's directives. “We have the experience. We are one of the first companies to employ women at our shops, but that was unsuccessful for several reasons. First of all, transportation. How could the minister approve the implementation of such a decision without first solving the problem of transportation that was a main reason for women employees' absence and late-coming?” “We are against decisions that may cause us losses from employees' inability to commit to working hours. We are not in a country where there are various modes of transportation which can be used anytime. Our traditions do not allow women to use taxies and buses, so before we take such a decision we have to study it from all angles.” He said he would support the decision “if it had a correct foundation, not when it was taken without preparation”. He said the implementation will fail if the right conditions are not created. Hashim Al-Shareef, owner of a women's clothing shop, said the decision was discussed at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry a few times and it was concluded that there are tangible obstructions to implementation. “The ministry prevents us from even having mannequins to exhibit women's clothes and now it wants us to hire women.” “Another thing, if the ministry wants women to work at these shops then they have to approve mixing with men because they will be working at a business place and will have to deal with men.” He said the move will fail because the decision “was issued without studying or preparations”. “We have not yet finished meeting our obligations on the nationalization of jobs.” He said he has 45 branches. “How does the minister expect me to fill them with Saudi women employees in six months,” he wondered. “The matter is so foggy and I don't expect it to succeed,” he said. Abdulmalik Al-Ghabri, owner of Alfakhama for Perfumes and Make Up, said he will object to the decision. He said it needs to be reconsidered because women who are employed will not only be dealing with female customers but with the whole company, which has a male owner and male employees. He said he would support the decision if it stipulated women working with men. Limiting the jobs to women only would be “unsuccessful” he said. Dr. Muhammad Al-Asmari, adviser to the minister of labor, said the minister convened several meetings and workshops at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to explain the decision, adding that he will meet with businessmen to hold discussions. He said the decision came as a result of workshops held in cooperation with the private and public sectors.
