JEDDAH, 16 October 2005 — By an overwhelming majority, the Shoura Council recently voted for a proposal to study regulating the business hours of shopping centers. Those who opposed the move cited economic losses and social habits.

The proposal was presented by Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Naiem and the majority of the members agreed to form a committee to study the 16 point system which he proposed. The proposal includes setting the working hours of shopping centers from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., closing only for prayers. Grocery stores are exempted as they would be allowed to stay open for more hours. The proposal also calls for taxing expatriate employees for the benefit of the Human Resource Development Fund. In order to encourage Saudis to take jobs in shopping centers and thus reduce unemployment, the proposal suggests specifying a Saudi employee’s salary at a minimum of SR2,000 and including these Saudis in the social security system.

The discussion of working hours produced many objections. The economic committee at the Shoura Council rejected the whole proposal on the basis that in some cities, such as Makkah and Madinah, the regulations on working hours would hurt businesses which rely on seasonal shoppers. Other cities’ climates and social habits, pointed out the committee, do not support early opening and closing hours as they would also hurt business.

The committee suggested the proposal be discussed in local municipality councils, but the majority of Shoura members rejected the suggestion and voted in favor of studying the proposal. Those who supported it said that the proposal was important because of its economic, social and behavioral benefits and therefore required a thorough study in order to make the appropriate regulations.

Business owners are naturally concerned about the regulations because they would affect profits. “Maybe what they’re saying is true. With shorter hours, there would be a reduction in electricity consumption and employees will be less exhausted, but there will be lower profits given that most Saudis like to shop in the evening,” said Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, an electronics store owner.

Some customers agreed that the early hours were unreasonable.

“Who would go to a mall at 7 in the morning? Malls don’t open that early in any country! And closing at 9 in the evening is ridiculous. How are we supposed to find time to do our shopping, especially women who work or go to school? As usual, men are not thinking of what is convenient for women,” commented Maha Alawi, a teacher and mother of three.

She went on, “I think opening from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. would be reasonable and suit our society. What I would really like to see is the earlier hours for families only and the late ones for men because so many young men roam around the malls harassing women and that is outrageous.”

Her teenage daughter Marwa was dismayed for another reason. “So now they want to close the malls early? What else are we supposed to do for fun in the evening besides going to restaurants and cafes?” she asked.

Other people found benefits. “I think it would reduce the problem of harassment by young men. With no malls open at night they would be forced to spend their free time somewhere else — the problem is where. It would also help eliminate this bad habit of our young people of staying up late. Closing at 9 is very early; maybe 10 would be better,” said Fatima, a grandmother.

The final word perhaps should go to those who the regulations are intended to help — Saudi employees. “The working hours now are a bit inconvenient but I want to work so I have to put up with that, although I think it’s more difficult for married women with children,” said Nahla. The government has recently mandated that saleswomen should work at stores selling women’s items, particularly lingerie stores, within two years and that they should not work after sunset.

Even male employees feel that the early closing hours suit them better. “We work on a shift system and we rotate the hours. Working very late is tiring but I wouldn’t want to start work at 7 either,” said one employee.