Saudi Arabia has announced new regulations to ensure a "comfortable" working environment for women in the latest measure to encourage greater female participation in the workforce.
Directives issued by the Ministry for Labour and Social Development at the weekend said employers must create "a suitable environment for women to carry out their responsibilities" and ensure that women are paid equally with men.
There should be at least two women on shifts where men are also working, and women's work hours should not extend beyond 11pm except for those in the medical profession, the ministry said.
Women are also prohibited from working in industrial jobs that "would put their lives in danger", and employers and fellow workers must avoid actions that "exert pressure on a woman's freedom in the workplace".
Saudi Arabia has launched various campaigns to empower its female population as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's "Vision 2030" plan to modernise the country and accelerate economic development.
The crown prince has spoken repeatedly of giving women greater rights and protections. Last June, the kingdom lifted a ban on women driving, giving them greater mobility and independence. More than 120,000 Saudi women applied for driving licences in the first month after the ban was lifted, according to the interior ministry.
Last week, the Saudi health ministry issued a statement asserting a woman's right to manage her pregnancy without permission from her male guardian. This includes getting medical updates and whether to deliver naturally or by Caesarean section.
Health officials and medical workers said the ministry was simply making pregnant women aware of their rights.
"It was an awareness campaign to clarify that expecting mothers have the right to make a decision on such matters," a Health Ministry spokesman told The National.
Ahmed Al Boraie, a consultant at the International Medical Centre in Jeddah, said women had always the right to choose how they would give birth.
The ministry statement was "aimed at the public", Dr Al Boraie told The National. "While all doctors understand this and know it very well, this was to clarify the procedure to the public, patients and their husbands so that female patients are aware of their rights.
“I arrived in Jeddah in 2014 and while I have been here the system has always given the patient the right to choose for themselves what kind of procedure they want to have,” he said.
However, it was not uncommon for women who opted for a Caesarean section to ask their husband to sign the authorisation, Dr Al Boraie said.
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Read more:
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He said the only time a patient is unable to decide for herself is when she does not have the mental capacity or is physically incapable of giving her consent.
Leila Al Hilali, a family therapist based in Jeddah, said the ministry's announcement was a positive move to empower Saudi women, even though they had always had the freedom to choose how to give birth.
"This announcement is not new, I think it's merely a clarification on women's rights in the kingdom," she said.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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Torque: 859Nm
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On sale: Now
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
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6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
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5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
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Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare
Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.
Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books
