JEDDAH — Several small, women-only stores are closing down due to a shortage of qualified women workers. As a result, store owners are asking the Ministry of Labor to reconsider and review its ban on male workers in such stores, Al-Madinah daily reported. They also asked the ministry for financial and training support so women workers can be properly trained to work in retail stores. Fadyah Al-Otaibi, owner of a women's dress store, said she employed a woman to work in her shop and had to train her for over a month. “After working for two months, she simply left giving some ridiculous excuse,” she said. Al-Otaibi was forced to close her store and now runs her business from home. She claimed that a large number of small entrepreneurs are being forced out of business due to the ministry's regulations. Trader Amal Kateb said that the decision to employ women is a good step, but women cannot work in every sector, especially in places that do not have the necessary security, separate bathrooms or prayer areas. She also said many women were not committed to their jobs and used transportation excuses to not show up for work. The head of the Textiles Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) said there have been some failures in implementing the ministry's employment strategy. “These failures are due to routine regulations and should be dealt with before applying new regulations. Many small store owners have closed down their businesses and become job seekers instead of business owners. This needs to change,” he said. Mohammad Abood, a small business owner, said that women do not possess the skills required to work in the retail sector and training programs should be set up by the concerned bodies to prepare them for these jobs.
