Businesses and stores have now 62 days left to enforce the Labor Ministry’s orders to feminize shops that sell women-oriented products, a Labor Ministry spokesman told local media.

The decision, which involves hiring women in businesses that cater to females, is part of the ministry’s third phase of the overall plan.

It will also focus on the sales increase of women’s perfumes as well as maternity care items sold in the open markets, which were earlier restricted to closed markets during the first phase of the plan, that began earlier this year.

The ministry warned shop owners of strict penalties if they don’t comply with the feminization plans, saying such violations would have a negative impact on the Nitaqat program.

Part of these penalties include the ministry halting all services to the offending shops, and slapping fines — at least SR3,000 but not more than SR10,000 for each expat worker. The violating shop will also be denied recruitment, iqama (residence permit) renewal, and transfer services when employing expatriate workforce.

The ministry noted that the inspection visits would be gradual, and when irregularities are detected they would send remarks to offending shops, a written warning and then a closure notice if requirements were not met.