Saudi Arabia: Women can be employed according to Sharia rules

Riyadh: The issue of women's employment figured highly in both the days of the two-day Seventh National Dialogue Forum, which concluded on Wednesday in Buraidah City.

Minister of Labour Dr Gazi Al Gosaibi was the focus of attention among the key figures addressing the forum on the concluding day. While clarifying many doubts raised by the participants, including women, he touched upon the controversy around Sharia restrictions pertaining to women's employment.

"There are some people who want to have a debate on the issue again and again with the motive of either imposing restrictions on employing women or expanding the scope of the Sharia regulations in this respect," he said. Dr Al Gosaibi said the amendment of a clause in the Labour Law is nothing to do with mixing of women with men at work places. "On the other hand, it is aimed at broadening the supremacy of values of Islamic Sharia."

Provisions of law

Dr Al Gosaibi underlined the need for a re-reading of the provisions of the new law that clearly explain that women shall be allowed to work in an appropriate environment, not mixing with men and without exposure to harassment.

Taking part in the debate on 'Labour Sectors and Employment: A Dialogue Between Society and Labour Institutions', he agreed with senior Saudi scholar Shaikh Abdul Mohsen Al Obaikan's remarks on the previous day that Sharia does not prevent women from working.

Dr Al Gosaibi said no Islamic religious strictures prevent women from working. "After detailed studies and discussions, the religious scholars, intellectuals and the Supreme Economic Council have agreed on the religious regulations on the employment of women."

Replying to the avalanche of questions raised by some 70 participants, he clarified the government's position on topics such as unemployment, women's employment, Saudization, reducing dependence on expat workforce and minimum wage.

Al Gosaibi explained the dilemma faced by his ministry, which stood between the demands of the rapid economic development on one hand and socio-economic obligation to employ the huge number of unemployed youths on the other.

He said he had to concede, to some extent, to pressures from some quarters that objected to the policy of restricting labour import. "The ministry last year issued 1.7 million work visas, which was the highest number in the history of the kingdom." On the other hand, he said, "if recruitment of foreign workers were put on hold for six months, not a single Saudi would remain jobless".

By Mariam Al Hakeem, Gulf News