The Ministry of Labor is considering whether to allow student services and stationery stores to employ Saudi women.
This comes as unemployment figures for women hover around 27 percent, and higher among certain sections of the female population.
The ministry plans to send inspectors to these stores around the country to see whether they are suitable for women.
Meanwhile, a stationery shop in Dammam has put up a sign at its entrance saying it has a vacancy for a woman in its photocopying section. The advertisement says the applicant should have computer skills and must be a resident of the neighborhood. This is because there is no rest area inside the store, and the woman can go to her house during rest and prayer times.
Sources said the store owner rejected some applicants, even though they were qualified, because they used makeup.
The advertisement is the first of its kind in the country. Other well-known stationery shops have not done so yet. However, some women are involved in this services industry at home, typing out research papers and making power point presentations for students.
Saud Al-Snaitan, the ministry's supervisor for female employment in the private sector, said he had not heard about this store. The ministry has not passed any regulation on the issue yet, he said.
However, he said these stores must provide a secluded section and rest area for women workers.
Women could work at stationery shops
