Inspectors from the Ministry of Labor carried out inspections of 140 shops selling women's clothes and accessories on Wednesday during visits to several commercial complexes in Riyadh.

While six shops were charged with serious violations, 27 businesses were warned that all services of the ministry would be denied to them if they failed to correct their violations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The inspectors were sent to ensure that the businesses followed the regulations governing Saudi female workers, and the implementation of the third phase of the women's employment scheme for shops selling women's items. The third phase monitors shops selling female gowns and accessories — a retail sector that was brought under the government's women's employment program last Saturday.

Assistant Undersecretary for special programs at the Ministry of Labor Fahd Al-Takhyyufi and Director General of the Riyadh branch of the ministry Abdullah Al-Olayan also accompanied the officials in the field inspections. Many of the businesses found to be in violation of the new laws were given a respite of two weeks to rectify their issues.

Al-Takhayyufi said that the third phase comprises five stages beginning with the sales of gowns and accessories and will be followed by shops selling shoes and bags, women's stockings, and other textiles. He added that within the next two years, all salesmen would be replaced by saleswomen.

The inspectors also arrested 11 security guards posted at women's shops for without proper documents.

Olayan added that the inspectors observed that most of the shops strictly followed the regulations governing women's accessories shops.

Al-Takhayyufi said penal action is being taken against violators of the regulations in a gradual manner beginning with advice, followed by oral warning, written warning, exacting fine, degrading them to Red Category establishment of the Nitaqat system, suspension of all services of the ministry and finally closing the store down.