Business owners have no right to order veiled women to uncover their faces and make it a condition to employ them, said Hattab Al-Enezi, spokesman for the Ministry of Labor. He said Article 4 of the labor law stipulates that the employer and employee should abide by the rules of the Islamic Shariah. The ministry has devoted a full chapter in the law defining the working woman's obligations and rights, according to a report in Al-Madina newspaper. Male and female inspectors from the ministry make regular tours of all companies and establishments to probe the working environment and record violations. This point was raised when a female reporter from Al-Madina newspaper visited the women's section at the Labor Office in Jeddah, which is the first government agency female graduates visit when looking for jobs. Most female job seekers complained that the first problem they face when searching for work is that business owners ask candidates to uncover their faces. Hana Al-Khalidi, a job seeker, claimed that this arbitrary condition made her refuse several jobs in private companies. The excuse given is that the head of the organization finds it difficult to deal with veiled women. Sara Al-Ja'ath said she had to sacrifice the veil during working hours because of her dire need for the job. She was left with no option as most reputable companies insist on this condition.
