TABUK: The “Khamees” traditional market in Tabuk which takes its name from the day it takes place, Thursday, has become an important source of income for several women whose social circumstances have forced them to compete with men selling indigenous products. Every Thursday these women head to the market early and return to their families in the evening with the money they made from selling their products. On good days they generate about SR400. Umm Fahd said, “I have been working at this market for more than five years for the daily requirements of my family of 13 children and a retired husband whose small pension can't meet the children's daily needs.” “My husband is burdened with debt. So I wait eagerly for every Thursday when I head off to the market before sunrise to reserve a place to display my goods which consists of second hand clothes I buy from charitable societies.” She said she sometimes works for 12 hours and returns to her house after sunset with not more than SR400. “I average about SR1,600 a month. I use part of it for the needs of my family and the rest I give to my husband to repay his debts. If he doesn't pay, he may go to prison.” She hopes that the mayoralty will consider her proposal to set up a traditional market exclusively for women so needy women can work throughout the week. Umm Yahya is widow whose husband died last year. After his death she had no choice but to trade at the market to help her family. The social security aid is too little to meet her children's demands. She said the social security payments from government are not enough to pay the rent of the house and the electricity bill. She sells second hand clothes and the handicrafts she makes from wool. “I come to the market with one of my children at dawn to reserve a place at the market. I generate between SR300 and SR400.” At another stall Umm Muhammad said she trades in herbal products such as “Hina” and girls' accessories. “I have been working at the market for more than five years in order to sustain my family of 10 children. Most of them are students who need daily pocket money.” She said she has lots of customers because she sells her products cheaply.
