‘Saudi women can work in baqalas’

A Shoura Council member has demanded that Saudi women be allowed to work in baqalas or small groceries while following the Shariah rules, even as another member earlier proposed closure of these shops to boost nationalization.
“Efforts are under way to employe women in all sectors, and a recent decision stipulated that the mobile phone workforce should comprise only Saudi men and women,” Fahad bin Jumaa was quoted by a local newspaper.
“There are many small shops that could employ women, especially since there is a barrier between them and the customers,” he said, while calling for the closure of small shops and groceries at 9 p.m., just like other markets.
He said the retail sector needs more regulations to eliminate cheating and to contribute to employing more Saudis in light of the current labor malpractices by small shops.
The Shoura member said that shops can be closely monitored by introducing an accounts system in all small shops and implementing network for accounting, in addition to depositing the money directly into the establishment’s account. Simultaneously, he said, a legal accountant should be assigned for each shop, even if it has only one employee, like it is in foreign countries, and the payment of zakat should be implemented
He said computerization of small shops by entering all goods into the system will also contribute to employing more Saudis and decrease the unemployment rate. “Smaller projects should also be launched and productive families employed.”
Another Shoura member had earlier called for the closure of small groceries, saying that it will be help in Saudization efforts because large supermarkets will absorb more nationals as their business will increase.
Saudi experts, too, have welcomed the proposal, saying that closure of baqalas will indeed boost nationalization and help the economy.
Most of the small groceries are run by expatriates in neighborhoods and appear to be convenient places for the middle and lower-middle class who do not have vehicles.
Source: Arab News