Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — The Ministry of Labor (MOL) is currently studying a proposal to provide transportation for women working in factories, Al-Eqtisadiah Arabic daily reported. The proposal was presented to the ministry by the Industrial Committee of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI). The ministry, represented by the Human Resources Fund, is to bear the cost of the transportation. Salman Al-Jeshi, head of the Industrial Committee at EPCCI, said the ministry has already begun working on the proposal to arrive at a clear mechanism to support the transportation of women working in factories. Al-Jeshi said the proposed support will see financial aid extended to the factories and women working in these factories through the Human Resources Fund. He added that the problem is not limited to the cost of transportation, but also to provide a complete system of public transportation in the industrial cities. Once a support mechanism is in place, female factory workers will no longer have to worry about the logistics or costs of transportation. The Industrial Committee previously held discussions with Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) but failed to arrive at a solution and that is why it then turned to the Ministry of Labor. Abdulaziz Al-Seray'e, deputy head of the committee, said negotiations with SAPTCO saw the committee present a number of proposals but both parties failed to agree on the terms.
