Middle East News
Minister says only Saudi women can sell women's clothes, underwear
Jun 29, 2005, 15:08 GMT
Riyadh - Saudi Labour Minister Ghazi al-Qosaibi put an end Wednesday to one of the ironic realities of Saudi society by ordering the gradual replacement of male employees in women's clothes and underwear shops by female employees.
The ministerial decision stipulates that all underwear shops in the kingdom should employ only Saudi women within a year while female clothes shops have two years to comply with the decision.
"Shops owners should also set up their shops in a way that prevents outsiders from seeing who is inside and prevent any interaction with men. Shops should also have special entrances for women only," the decision said.
The decision said the one- and two-year periods will see Saudi women being trained to take on their new jobs. The training programmes will be financed and supported by government funds.
Many women's clothes and underwear shops in the kingdom employ men. Recently, several Saudi women have written articles complaining about the irony of the situation in a country that does not allow women to drive or be seen with a man who is not a relative.
© dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
