SAUDI ARABIA – The Kingdom warns employers

THE Ministry of Labour has stated it is a violation of the Kingdom’s labour regulations to insist a woman should be unmarried to be eligible for employment. There have been reports of women being dismissed because they were pregnant.

 

According to news agency, Zawya, Ministry spokesman Hatab Al-Anazi stated, “Some private companies are stipulating conditions such as a woman shall be recruited only if she is single or not pregnant if married. It is against the regulations approved by the ministry.”

 

Al-Anazi added that such demands – a woman worker should remain single – are also against the Islamic law adopted by the Kingdom. “The fourth clause of the ministry’s employment regulations stipulates both the employer and his worker should adhere to Shariah rules.”

 

The government has recently strictly enforced an order to employ only Saudi women in lingerie shops. Perfumes and women’s accessories shops also come under this order. This decision has helped a large number of women to find employment.

 

The Ministry of Labour has also embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging Saudi women to join the labour market, such as “work from home” and “remotely based work.” The aim is to create more job opportunities that conform to Saudi society and remove obstacles that impede their employment by the introduction of a variety of regulations.