JEDDAH, 23 March 2003 — Four hundred Saudi women employed at a major dairy factory in Alkharj had the shock of their lives when their employer told them that they were suspended from their jobs. No genuine reason was cited.

The factory had created new jobs for women in its bid to employ more Saudis. The Saudi women urged the authorities to intervene quickly so they can retain their jobs.

In a recent meeting with businessmen in Riyadh, Interior Minister and Chairman of the Manpower Council Prince Naif emphasized that the government will create more job opportunities for Saudi women. “There are several areas where women can work in accordance with the Shariah regulations,” he said.

Noura Al-Mojahed, one of the 400 Saudi female employees who received job offer at the factory, said she presented her job application through the labor office in Alkharj, which informed women job-seekers about the new opportunities at the dairy factory in Alkharj, about 70 kms southeast of Riyadh.

“Initially about 400 women applied for jobs. After some time, the number rose to 1,500 applicants,” Noura told Al-Riyadh Arabic newspaper. She said the factory canceled their jobs after the completion of official procedures for employment.

The personnel officer at the factory told the Arabic daily that his organization decided to employ the women as part of its efforts to Saudize jobs.

“We offered some jobs for Saudi men. When we found that they were not serious in their work, we discussed with the Labor Office about the possibility of employing Saudi women in their place,” the officer said.

He said the Kingdom’s labor law does not prevent Saudi women from working in factories so long the jobs agree with the nature of women, protect their religious values and avoid mixing with men. He said the factory had arranged a special work area for Saudi women to avoid mixing with men.

He acknowledged that some 1,500 women had applied for jobs. “But employment was stopped for reasons which are not clear,” he said. However, the official said his organization will continue to press for employing women.

Noura said the cancellation of jobs came a day after the company had completed all procedures for their employment.

The factory had earlier arranged a visit for the newly-appointed female employees to introduce them to their new work place.

She said the new female Saudi applicants had been given jobs at dairy farms to supervise production with a minimum salary of SR1,800.

She said their jobs did not involve mixing with men. “The next day after our appointment, we were surprised to find the factory suspended employment of women completely for reasons we don’t know,” she said.

“We are now in the process of lodging a complaint with official authorities to retain our jobs. We are badly in need of jobs. Saudization is a national demand. Nothing prohibits employment of women at factories,” she said.

Noura said the labor law allows women to work in any sector and carry out any job that suits their nature and protects their honor and modesty, without mixing with men.

She pointed out that many of the female job-seekers at the dairy factory were widows, divorcees and orphans who faced financial difficulties.

Fowziya Al-Otaibi, another applicant, said she applied for the job at the factory to lead a decent and honorable life without depending on others. “I don’t know why they decided not to employ us at the factory. We are ready to do these jobs,” she said.