Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — With increasing numbers of Saudi women entering the workforce, many female workers are complaining about the lack of childcare facilities at their places of work and the money and time they have to spend enrolling children in private nurseries. The number of women entering the Saudi workforce has increased by around 48 percent since 2010, according to the Central Department of Statistics and Information, and many of them are working mothers. Under the labor law, the owner of a company that employs 50 women or more must provide childcare facilities, including babysitters, for children under 6 years, and a nursery must be open if there are 10 children or more. However, many companies that fall in this category are not providing the facilities in the workplace. Waad Al-Abdullatif, an assistant financial analyst who is also the mother of a 3-year-old, said she thinks having nurseries at workplaces is vital, as mothers who work will suffer, especially when pregnant or having a small baby. Al-Abdullatif said not all families are comfortable with sending babies to nurseries, especially when the baby is too young or the nursery is far away. "It is really a must to have a nursery in the company. Any company that has five women with children or more should open a nursery on its premises. Each company should have a nursery that suits its level and the number of female employees. For example, one babysitter could take care of children of five employees," she said. Yasmin, another workingwoman who is the mother of two girls under four, said nurseries she uses are expensive but worth the cost because they are safe and in a convenient location. "Having nurseries at the workplace is much better for the mother because she will feel close to her kids and can see them whenever she is free. However, the quality of the service will not be as high as expected," she said. "In my company we already have a nursery where my youngest is put," said Doaa Mohamed, a mother of three working at a private company. "I feel safe when I my youngest child close to my office because I can visit her at anytime. In my opinion fees in nurseries should not exceed by any means SR12,000 a year, as kids play there more than learn," Mohamed added. Owner of a nursery in Al-Qassim, Nadia Hamad, said prices in private nurseries could vary based on the location and services provided, with nurseries that provide books and teach the Qur'an could cost more than those offering simpler services.
