Labor law does not differentiate between men and women, but several Saudi women have complained that they are not paid as much as their male colleagues get and they are not offered the same opportunities. Women and men in same positions should be paid equally according to the Saudi labor law, said Majed Al-Anizi, legal counselor at the Labor Office here on Monday. Anizi was addressing a group of Saudi businesswomen and university students during a lecture titled ‘Labor Law, For Your Protection' at the women's branch of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “The labor law does not differentiate between female or male laborers, not in their duties, rights and obligations,” explained Anizi. “However, the labor law only gives additional benefits to women due to their duties and responsibilities at home, such as not permitting them to work after 11 P.M. except in hospitals and preventing them from working in hard labor faculties such as in heavy industries,” Anizi said. However, many women attending the lecture complained that they were not treated equally. “I have male colleagues who are paid thrice the amount I get and we have the same ranking,” said one woman requesting anonymity. Abdullah Al-Hazani, Manager of Employment Administration at the Labor Office, tried to explain that experience and the number of years on the job all attribute to the difference of salary between employees. Hazani urged women to file formal complaints against their employers or organizations not following the labor law. “We do have a female office for submitting complaints and they frequently inspect women-run companies and offices. However, it is very difficult for us to inspect all premises. So if you have a complaint file it and we will follow it through,” Hazani told women workers. Among the labor regulations was limiting women from working late at night. However Monirah Al-Mishkhas complained that hundreds of Saudi women work in women-only amusement parks until 1 A.M. if not later and for as little as SR500-900 a month. “Have them come and file a complaint and the issue will be sorted out,” said Hazani. “As long as the employee agrees to work for SR500 we do not interfere. There is no minimum wage and these women agreed willingly to work for this amount.” The Labor Law also states that any employer who has 50 or more female employees must open a day care center for children of the staff. “This is if the number of children is 10 or more and are 6 years of age and younger,” explained Anizi. “The employer has the option to contract other employers to open joint day cares.” “What day cares?” asked Nora Al-Alian, a businesswoman. “We don't see any such facility and we have to hire full-time maids to take care of our children.” Sahar Al-Rimlawa called on the Labor Office to monitor if such regulations are implemented. “There are around 20,000 women-run organizations in Riyadh only. We can't inspect them all, but you please file complaints when you see that such laws are not implemented,” said Hazani. __
