Both the Saudi who owns the center, Muhammad Al-Talibi, as well as his 16 women employees are extremely happy with the success of the experiment in Jazan’s Samta city. The women work eight and a half hours in a single morning shift and draw a monthly salary of SR3,600, Al-Watan newspaper reported on Monday. They are working at the center as supervisors, cashiers, accountants, and packaging staff.

Laila Faqeehi, an accountant, told the newspaper that most of her coworkers see the job as the only means to earn a livelihood. “We joined duty not as a way to spend our free time, but to earn a fixed income in order to support our family. The job benefits us mainly on two grounds: Firstly, it helps us support our family, which is facing financial difficulties and secondly, it instills much-desired confidence in us that we can stand on our own feet,” she said.

Laila Faqeehi noted that they are receiving great respect and appreciation from most members of the society. “They know very well that we are in dire need of taking up jobs to support our families. We are sincerely doing our jobs with full conscience about the responsibility to our families, nation and the employer,” she said.

Noura Madkhali, another employee, said they are working straight from 7 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. “Therefore, we can devote the remaining time to take care of our kids and family members,” she said.

As for Basma Jaafari, she said that their morning shift gives them enough time to take care of their family in the afternoon. The shop owner also gives an attractive salary and other allowances, including health insurance, she added.

Muhammad Al-Talibi, owner of the commercial center, said he is extremely happy the experiment has become a great success. “Firstly, I employed six women — three of them as cashiers and three at sections of candies and kitchenware. Later, their number rose to 16, including 10 working at the packaging section,” he said.

Al-Talibi recalled that he started employing women to help them earn a fixed income so as to support their families to have a decent life. Ever since the first month after they had joined duty, their performance results were beyond his expectations. “I am not denying that I faced several impediments while hiring female staff. Anyhow, I managed to overcome all these by doing some sacrifice for the sake of my country and people,” he said while calling it his national duty.

Al-Talibi claimed that revenues from all his commercial centers had risen after he had started employing women. Reacting to those against employing women, he said: “Those who oppose hiring women staff can pay half of their salary, and I will meet the other half.” He added that he had made all the arrangements and facilities at the center for them to work in accordance with the Shariah.

Al-Talibi urged the concerned government agencies to support this initiative. He noted that the Jazan branch of the Ministry of Labor extended all support that was instrumental in making the experiment a great success. He also called on the Human Resources Development Fund to lend a helping hand to women who want to take up such jobs.