Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH486
2006-07-19 14:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

MINISTER OF LABOR TELLS RELIGIOUS POLICE ONLY MOL

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR SA KISL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJI #0486/01 2001435
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 191435Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9355
INFO RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 6683
C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000486 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ARPI FOR SHUKAN, S/WE FOR SASHA MAHRA, NEA/MEPI FOR
JAMES BEAN, NEA/FO FOR ERIN WALSH.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA KISL
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF LABOR TELLS RELIGIOUS POLICE ONLY MOL
CAN CONTROL FEMALE EMPLOYMENT

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000486

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/ARPI FOR SHUKAN, S/WE FOR SASHA MAHRA, NEA/MEPI FOR
JAMES BEAN, NEA/FO FOR ERIN WALSH.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/19/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR SA KISL
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF LABOR TELLS RELIGIOUS POLICE ONLY MOL
CAN CONTROL FEMALE EMPLOYMENT

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller
for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The religious police, or Mutawwa denied that
it was responsible for the recent firing of 69 saleswomen at
cosmetic and lingerie department stores in Jeddah. The
Mutawwa ordered the stores closed after accusing the
saleswomen of mingling with men, and criticized them for not
covering completely and for wearing make-up. During a meeting
with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI),
Labor Minister al-Qussaibi declared that only the Ministry of
Labor controls employment policy, and promised to investigate
the matter further. Meanwhile, public sentiment is opposed
to the recently increasing presence of the Mutawwa in Jeddah.
A local women's professional association initiated a boycott
of lingerie shops staffed by men. END SUMMARY.

--------------
JEDDAH WITNESSES INCREASED MUTAWWA PRESENCE:
--------------


2. (C) On July 17 PolOff met with several Jeddawis who told
PolOff that for the last several years the presence of the
religious police in Jeddah was low key at best. Over the
past month, however, they have witnessed a resurgence of the
Mutawwa activities, including increased patrols in shopping
malls to thwart young men and women from mingling in public.
They also said that many restaurants have installed walled
partitions between the family and singles sections, which
previously was nonexistent. Restaurant managers reportedly
claim that it is the customers from outside Jeddah requesting
such divisions. Some Jeddawis feel that the Mutawwa's
increased activities are a sign that conservative elements
are reasserting their influence in Jeddah, which has normally
been considered a more liberal city. Others expressed hope
that this resurgence of conservatism will last only through
the summer months while the SAG is operating out of Jeddah.

--------------
MUTAWWA PRESSURES SHOPS TO FIRE SALESWOMEN:
--------------



3. (C) Gazzazz cosmetics stores in Jeddah recently employed
69 saleswomen following the Ministry of Labor's issuance of
Resolution 120 in June, which authorized women to work in
women's apparel stores. Responding to complaints received
from two former disgruntled women employees, the Mutawwa
conducted a surprise visit and accused the saleswomen of
mingling with men, although they work in an area open to both
women and men shoppers. The Mutawwa also criticized the
saleswomen for not covering completely and for wearing
make-up, charges which the saleswomen denied. News reports
state that the Mutawwa ordered the stores closed within three
days. According to media reports, the owner refused, but
later was allegedly pressured to fire the women after the
Mutawwa threatened to remove the women forcibly if the stores
did not comply. Writers for the Islamist website al-Sahat
issued statements July 18 supporting the termination of the
women, and lauded their firings as a big blow to Labor
Minister Ghazy al-Qussaibi.

--------------
SAG RESPONSE TO THE FIRING OF 69 WOMEN:
--------------


4. (U) While attending a meeting with the newly-appointed
Chairman Saleh Turki of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce
(JCCI),al-Qussaii commented on the firings stating that
"there i no power other than the Ministry of Labor
responsible for the employment of women in the Kingdom" and
that the Ministry would thoroughly investigate and issue a
statement soon.


5. (U) According to media reports, the JCCI stated that it
planned to provide assistance to the fired saleswomen. In an
interview, JCCI board member Mrs. Nashwa Taher said that she
will work closely with the Khadija Bint Khwailed Women's
Center (KBK) on behalf of these working women.

-------------- --------------
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION REACTS BY ORGANIZING BOYCOTT:
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Representatives from the newly-established,
MEPI-sponsored Saudi Business and Professional Women's
Association (SBAPW) told ConGenOffs that it initiated a
Kingdom-wide boycott of all lingerie shops staffed by men.
They advertised the boycott via email and text messages in
both English and Arabic, and encouraged women to protest the

indefinite postponement of Resolution 120, by boycotting
businesses where they cannot shop "freely, comfortably and
with dignity." The text of the announcement also stated in
part, "We need your help! Only you can make a difference.
The pressure to implement women employment comes from you and
only you."


7. (C) COMMENT: The Labor Minister's comments challenging the
Mutawwa are significant given the role the Mutawwa play in
Saudi society. In the past, al-Qussaibi has clashed with
conservatives, who consider him too liberal. The more
conservative mood observed in Jeddah suggests that there is a
continued resistance to the King's reform agenda,
particularly pertaining to women's rights. However, the
activities of the women's association are a promising sign
that a nascent civil society is emerging. END COMMENT.
Gfoeller