JEDDAH, 14 August 2005 — Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi yesterday emphasized the rights of working women but pointed out that they should not mix with men, must wear hijab (Islamic dress) and should not work night shifts.

“The Labor Ministry intends to create a suitable atmosphere for women’s employment ... without mixing with men and without engaging in dangerous jobs or harmful activities,” he said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

“They should not work the night shifts — between sunset and sunrise during a period of not less than 11 hours,” he said quoting Article 161 of the Labor Law. Women employees must be given maternity leave of four weeks before — and six weeks after — delivery.

The Labor Law also stipulates that employers should provide women with enough time to breastfeed their babies and a place to take rest, Gosaibi said, adding that women’s job must be compatible with their nature and the work should not prevent her from carrying out her household and marital duties.

Dr. Gosaibi estimated the total number of Saudi women employed in the public sector at 231,007 and in the private sector at 43,917. The estimate of private sector employees was based on those registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance.

Gosaibi stressed his ministry’s determination to create suitable jobs for Saudi women in accordance with the Kingdom’s traditions. He referred to a Cabinet decision last year calling for expanding job opportunities for women. He said there was nothing wrong with Muslim women taking jobs since women, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), used to conduct business and engage in agriculture, cattle farming, health services, education, etc.

Last June, the ministry announced a timetable for employing Saudi women in shops selling women’s clothing, underwear and other such items. It stipulated that all lingerie shops in the Kingdom must employ only Saudi women within a year but it gave shops selling women’s clothing two years to comply with the decision.

“Owners must design their shops in such a way that those outside cannot see inside and that prevents any interaction with men. Shops must have special women-only entrances,” the order said.

Dr. Gosaibi said his ministry would gradually stop recruitment of foreign workers to fill jobs in shops selling women’s accessories. He added that labor cards would not be given to foreigners working in sectors restricted to Saudis.

The minister urged shop-owners to provide women with necessary training to take up the new jobs. The training can be carried out with the support of the Manpower Development Fund and in coordination with other government agencies engaged in training Saudis.

Saudi women have demonstrated their talents by taking up jobs in hospitals, banks, schools, decorating firms, real estate and other businesses. Most managers have been impressed by their female employees as they do their work seriously and efficiently.

King Abdullah, who took a series of steps while he was crown prince to empower women, said Saudi women had started entering the mainstream of national life and hoped that attitudes toward them would change for the better in a few years.