WUNRN
http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/754441
Saudi Arabia – 50% of Female Retail Workers Resign – Call for
More Benefits & Rights
·
By
NADIA AL-FAWAZ - 31 May 2015
ABHA: Saudi women working at
clothing stores here have called on the Labor Ministry to crack down on owners
because they apparently work long hours, are paid low salaries, have no access
to childcare facilities, not given days off, and not provided free transport.
In addition, they claim that the public in general have no trust in them as
salespeople, and often abuse them verbally. They also called on the government
to force shops to close at 9 p.m. so that they can have time with their
families and to socialize.
Fatima Al-Hayyan, a business expert, claimed that more than 50 percent of women
working in sales have resigned, citing lack of job security and heavy workload.
Women here said that the average of SR4,500 they earn a month is not enough to
meet their needs, especially since they have to work nine hours a day. One
woman, Abrar Al-Ghamdi, said she spends SR1,200 of her SR4,500 salary a month
on transport.
Alia Al-Assiri, a salesperson, said that the shop where she works does not
provide a chair for her to sit down. “The ministry has ordered shops to have
chairs for workers but this one has not complied with these directives,” she
said.
Al-Assiri said she has to work nine hours a day because the owner forces her to
make up the time she takes for prayers. Another woman, Sarah Mohammed, said she
works nine hours at the weekends and eight and a half hours during the week,
which affects her family life.
Fatima Al-Mu’badi said that
customers are sometimes condescending and rude even though she is professional
at all times. She said Saudi women must take courses to advance their careers,
which would help break the stereotype that they are not suited for sales
positions.
Ghala Al-Bishri called on customers not to look down on salespeople because
they spend lots of time and effort promoting their products.
Dalal Al-Qarni, assistant director general of the women’s department at the
ministry in the Eastern Province, said officials have outlined the rights and
obligations of owners and workers, including penalties for those failing to
comply.
Al-Qarni said there has also been widespread campaigns to inform everyone about
the third phase of the feminization program and the timeframe for
implementation. There has also been consultation with workers and business owners
to resolve disputes and challenges, she said.
Ishraq Moawad, director of the inspection department at the ministry in Jeddah,
said that the government is looking at introducing additional legislation to
protect retail workers, which would include wage scales.
In addition, plans are being formulated to have community outreach programs
that would tackle the stereotypes in the market about Saudi workers, said
Moawad.