JEDDAH: About 70 percent of shops selling products exclusively for women in Jeddah were caught for violation of various rules, almost half of which were linked to fake feminization practices.

“Around 1,700 or 90 percent of women’s shops are feminized shops since the launch of a three-phase program by the Ministry of Labor (MoL),” Mohammed bin Sultan Al-Shihri, head of the Committee of Textile and Garment Merchants at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was quoted as saying by local media.

The figures represent shops selling women’s products such as abayas, lingerie, accessories and beauty products, with the exception of outlets in popular markets, he said. “The violation of rules were due to the fact that many female employees leave their jobs and force shop owners to hire alternatives, which leads to fake feminization practices.”

Al-Shihri said the feminization program for women’s shops is ongoing, but the last phase was delayed due to reasons like lack of willingness of women to work as salespersons, even after the MoL opened the door for women to work in many sectors.

“Many saleswomen also do not prefer working double-shifts. Lack training has spurred the MoL to look for ways to enhance the final phase of the program,” said Al-Shihri.

“The ministry’s decision to feminize shops 100 percent has reduced the number of employees put pressure on shop owners to implement the decision,” he said.

“Around 25 percent to 30 percent of women’s shops have exited the market, leading to a reduction in the number of branches by almost half, while 10 percent shifted switched to other areas,” said Al-Shihri.

He said efforts are under way to find solutions to the proble, including finding ways to enhance training, increase support of the Human Resources Development Fund, prepare the labor market and provide transportation to female employees.