Saudi bans men from selling perfumes, cosmetics to women

Saudi Arabia began on Sunday the implementation of the third phase of the feminisation of shops selling women’s accessories.

This phase includes shops selling female perfumes, Jalabiyas (traditional dresses), bags, shoes, socks, clothes and fabrics for women as well as shops selling mother-care products (baby stuff are excluded), and pharmacies in malls selling beauty products and accessories, local newspapers said.

By October 2016, the ministry plans to achieve its goal to employ only women in all stores selling women’s accessories.

Newspapers said the ministry bans the employment of men and women at the same time in these stores while shop owners are not allowed to ask Saudi women to report for work before 9am and leave after 11pm.

Under the decision, shops which employ three or more Saudi women will have to employ one Saudi woman as their supervisor or manager.

“All violating shops will be categorised in the red zone of Nitaqat,” the decision said, in reference to the labour category which curbs expatriate hiring by companies.

“Employment of expatriate women at these stores will lead to a fine ranging between SR3,000 and SR10,000 for each non-Saudi female employee. The employer will also be banned from getting visas or renewing visas of their employees.”