MLSD conducts 29,000 inspection rounds within one month from enforcing the decision to nationalize and feminize women-only shops
Publication date: 21 September 2022 - 25 Safar 1444
Labor inspection teams of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development conducted 29,333 rounds on commercial centers and independent stores across the Kingdom to make sure employers comply with the decision aiming to nationalize and feminize women-only shops in its third phase, which is in cooperation with several government entities.
MLSD Spokesman Khaled Abalkhail clarified that the inspection rounds uncovered 21,531 compliant establishments within one month from enforcing the third phase of the feminization and nationalization decisions.
Abalkhail pointed out the inspection campaigns detected 5,919 violations relating to the two decisions, including 1,376 nationalization violations, 3,723 feminization violations and 820 ones relating to other labor regulations.
The spokesman added the labor inspectors issued 5,325 warnings against uncompliant establishments during these rounds.
Abalkhail urged customers to report labor violations or submit inquiries through dialing the customer service no. (19911) or using the ‘Ma3an lil Rasd’ app on smart phones.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the decisions kicked off on Oct. 21 to nationalize and feminize shops selling women-only necessities, including perfumes, shoes, bags, women socks, ready-to-wear cloths, kiosks, women fabrics and department stores selling women cloths along with other staples.
It also targets small independent stores that sell soiree gowns, wedding dresses, Abaya (cloaks), accessories, Jalabiyas (traditional dresses) and mother-care products, as well as including pharmacies with sections that merchandise accessories and cosmetics.
In support of the move, the Human Resources Development Fund has offered an array of services for female workers through the children hospitality program ‘Qurrah’ and the transportation program ‘Wusool’ in order to increase numbers of Saudi women in the workforce and curb unemployment among them.