Labor Ministry to conduct inspections at lingerie shopsRIYADH — The Ministry of Labor has added new four business activities to the Nitaqat Program — kindergartens, bakeries, ready-mix concrete, and information technology. The ministry has so far classified 45 types of businesses which must meet Saudization quotas under the Nitaqat Program, according to a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report. The ministry said it added these new activities after studying requests from various chambers of commerce and industry across the country. It stressed that the classification is aimed at keeping up with the requirements and demands of the jobs market. The program takes into consideration the size of the business and the number of workers. The ministry said it will only add or remove a business activity from its list after studying requests from the private sector. The ministry called on all establishments and companies to modify their business activities accordingly. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor announced it will conduct inspections of women's lingerie and accessories shops to ensure that women are employed at these establishments, in line with last year's Royal Decree. Shops must comply with the directives by Thursday, January 5. The ministry will form an inspection committee to implement the decision and will send teams out on daily visits for a week, according to reports. Business owners must comply with regulations by not allowing men inside these stores, and women employees must dress modestly, in line with the Shariah. All malls where women work will have a safe electronic system and will be heavily guarded. Once the inspections of lingerie shops are completed, the ministry will visit shops selling cosmetics and clothes, starting from July 1. A 450-member committee completed a list three weeks ago of all the country's stores which should hire women.
