Saudi men can't sell bras
2006-03-22 15:00
Riyadh - The Saudi government warned shop owners on Tuesday that they have two months to comply with a decree banning men from selling lingerie and other women's apparel or face punishment.
In ads published in several Saudi papers, the ministry of labour called on all women's clothing shop owners to comply with the decree issued two years ago "in order to increase employment opportunities for Saudi women."
"Penalties and fines will be levied against store owners and male clerks who violate the ban," said a statement by the ministry adding that it will go into effect on June 19.
The decree also says that stores selling lingerie must conceal that section from the rest of the shop in compliance with the ultra-conservative kingdom's strict segregation of the sexes.
A number of Saudi women had expressed disquiet at having to buy their underwear from men, Saudi papers reported.
At a meeting on Monday, Saudi business owners pleaded with deputy labour minister Abdulwahid al-Humaid to delay enforcing the ban to give them a chance to train women to work in stores, they said.
In Saudi Arabia where sharia, or Islamic law, is the rule of the land, all public space is divided into male and family sections, with women only admitted to the latter in the company of their husbands or guardians.
There are no fitting rooms in clothing stores and customers, both male and female, must try the items at home after purchasing them.