New Horizons event that is taking place in Sharqia Chamber in Al-Khobar has revealed the lack of women presence in the industrial sector.
Speakers have called for establishing a national program that can enhance women's capabilities to join the industrial field.
During the session, project management acting-director of the Saudi Industrial Property Authority ( MODON ) Eng. Abdulah Al Fasam said that MODON looks forward to establishing 13 industrial cities for women to work by 2020.
He said "each city will be equipped with administrative and service building, a mosque, a business center, nursery, restaurants, cafes, shopping center and a health club."
Al Fasam said that all projects that aim to attract the less developed regions and to support small and medium-sized enterprises will be equipped with all services and infrastructure.
"We have already signed a cooperation agreement to construct and develop a training and employment center which aims to ending employment training, on-job training in addition to administrative and technical training."
He said parking and waiting stations will be instructed within the city to transfer female staff from their homes to the nearest station.
"Until 2012, there are 4,718 industries in the Kingdom," he added.
Director of the women's department at Al Zamil Air Conditioners Munira Al Zamil said that industries in the Kingdom are operated by nearly 600,000 people, mostly men; percentage of women does not exceed 2 percent although women constitute 51 percent of the population, and there are 4 million women of working age.
Al Zamil called for more job opportunities for girls, reducing the retirement age and to focus on education, training, and providing appropriate, comfortable and healthy work environment.
The Saudi Gazette
11 April
