Saudi scheme aims to create thousands of jobs for women

A scheme aimed at employing thousands of women in 700 industrial companies has been launched in Saudi Arabia.

The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) announced the initiative on Wednesday and more than 25 factories have come forward to take part in the initial stage of the project.

“The move comes as part of the JCCI’s efforts to invest in woman power for the all-around national development,” a spokesman said in comments published by Arab News on Thursday.

The news comes just days after official figures revealed that unemployment rates among Saudi women climbed to almost 27 percent last August, up from 25 percent six months earlier.

JCCI has set up an action team to supervise a rapid implementation of the scheme, officials said.

Ulfat Qabbani, a member of the board of directors of JCCI, told the paper: “More than 25 factories have come forward in the initial stage of the scheme. A total of 56 industries will offer jobs for women.

She added that about 700 factories would participate in the second phase of the scheme to employ thousands of women.

The move is designed to guarantee employment for Saudi women, only two percent of whom are currently working in the industrial sector.

In other fields women workers have achieved a higher percentage. For instance 20 percent of employees in education and health sectors are women.”

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