DAMMAM — A prominent women's support organization has signed a support agreement with the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) to increase the number of Saudi women in the labor market. Faiza Abdulaziz Al-Oumi, chairwoman of the Princess Jawaher Mashael Al-Khair Center that will benefit from Sipchem's support, said: “The agreement will have a positive impact on improving the conditions of the working Saudi women, increase their number in the labor market and raise their productivity.” The petrochemical company signed support and funding agreements with six institutions specialized in community service programs and charity work, including Mashael Al-Khair, on April 21. It had announced that it would set aside about 1 percent of its annual profits to community service projects. Al-Oumi said Sipchem's announcement of its donation was within its partnership and cooperation with the media to publicize charity work so that other donors may follow. She asked other private companies and establishments to follow suit in supporting charity organizations for the welfare of working Saudi women. She said under the agreement, the center will provide the company with detailed periodical and annual reports showing how its funds were spent to help its beneficiaries. “Sipchem's financial support will help increase the productivity of the working women and will also benefit the community at large,” she said. She said the company's support was not only financial in nature but would also include ideas and directives to boost the center's economic activities. “The company will provide the center with trainers and instructors to guide and direct its economic drive,” she added. She said a large number of working Saudi women in the Eastern Province would benefit from the agreement to support themselves and their families.
