Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – When women started working in lingerie stores earlier this year, owners of the stores and even workers themselves were worried that women wouldn't rise to the occasion and prove themselves in the market. Okaz newspaper paid a visit to many stores and asked female workers about their experiences, fears and rumors surrounding their jobs. Wejdan is the manager of a lingerie store in Jeddah. She feels content with her salary and work hours and says the real problem that the majority of female workers face is transportation. “Transportation is difficult and costly at the same time especially when one has two shifts." Wejdan believes that the majority of Saudi women support female workers while most men still haven't stomached the idea of women participating in the workforce. “Sometimes women are harassed by men but we don't let them get away with it. When harassed, workers lodge a complaint on the spot with the supervisor," she said. Israa, an employee at a woman's accessory shop, said she is also satisfied about her job in terms of salary and work hours. Isara said she joined the labor force after completing college and advised all women to get work experience. No medical insurance Dina, an employee at a cosmetics store who works from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., said her only complaint was that her employer had not provided her with medical insurance or a housing allowance. Dina called on people to give women more time to adjust to their jobs and refrain from passing unfair judgements. A manager of a women's store said that many members of society, particularly men, didn't want to accept women's work in the beginning but over time they had changed their minds. She added that women who had proved to be efficient in the workplace had received lucrative offers to work for major corporations. “This is a shining example that women have made it in the market," she said.
