by DIANA AL-JASSEM
Earlier this week, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah ordered officials to set measures that only allow Saudi women to work at lingerie shops within a month. The step was welcomed by officials and businesswomen.
Many years have passed since the Labor Ministry requested lingerie shops to replace male salesmen with women, but there has been no response from officials. After a large number of campaigns and discussions, the ministry issued the decision in 2005, but it was never implemented.
“We immediately started hiring female staff during the year 2005. Initially, it seemed to be a good step. However, the number of customers decreased considerably, because only women were allowed to enter our shops,” said Sarah Bin Sahal, area retail manager for the Nayomi lingerie chain, which still operates more than six “women-only” shops.
Later on, they established five more stores that received only families. “Only women or couples are allowed in. The number of customers increased, as women felt free to deal with women sale clerks without any embarrassment,” she said. In 2005, the ministry asked lingerie shops to begin moving toward women-only staff, giving them a two-year deadline that has lapsed.
Bin Sahal added: “Four years later, only a few shops attempted to adhere to the ministry’s noncompulsory order, as shop owners are more likely to hire men in order to increase the number of customers. We now need a quick movement and accurate deadline. We also request cooperation from businessmen and shop owners.”
Reem Asaad, economic writer and member of the Saudi Economic Association, launched a campaign to boycott lingerie stores managed by male staff.
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(Thanks to Robin Khundkar)