Female Customers Feels Relieved With Recent Law Changes
A deadline of 6 months has been given to some 4,332 lingerie stores across the Kingdom to substitute their male workers with saleswomen ended Thursday.
Amani Al-Ghamdi, Valege Lingerie’s store manager at its Red Sea Mall branch said that many customers feel relieved when they see saleswomen at intimate items shops. For the first time it is not the merchandise that lures them but the presence of women behind the counters.
Al-Ghamdi supports and encourages young women to adhere this field. She says it might not seem like much of a career, but for a high school graduate it is a good paying job in a comfortable environment where you are greatly appreciated by customers.
Amal, who replaced a male manager at a Naomi branch in Jeddah said it is exhausting to be working two shifts. But it is a great opportunity for her to be an active partner in the country’s economic progress.
Rania, who is Amal’s assistant, said that her family disapproved of her work for a while but finally gave in. She said that it is not easy to get people to accept what they do especially when in high seasons working hours are longer and they have to stay in the shop till 3 A.M.
As expected safety is a major concern. A lot of Jeddah malls such as Jareer Mall and Red Sea Mall have boosted security to put off the new workers from being harassed or robbed. Firm regulations have also been established to protect these women. Stores have been fitted with specifically tinted glass windows and curtains totally covering up the inside of the store. Security guards are posted outside these stores.
Contrasting other stores features of security, in lingerie stores isolation concerns far overshadow those of theft, and security cameras are nonexistent.
