By Fatima Muhammad
JEDDAH — A senior health official said on Sunday women are not banned from working in optical shops if basic conditions for their employment are ensured.
Mohammad Bajbair, head of the private health sector in Jeddah health affairs, said there was nothing in the regulations that prevent the employment of women in optical shops but the employer has to provide a location that conforms to Sharia regulations.
"However, if a complaint is received by the health affairs about mixed environment then the shop might be closed down," he added.
Bajbair said any optical shop that was opened inside hospitals without a distinct license will be closed down.
He said all optical shops including those operating inside hospitals must abide by the regulations put in place by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs as well as the Civil Defense.
Optical shops in hospitals should have an external entrance facing a main road, he said.
"Three hospitals have optical shops inside their premises and we have asked them to obtain separate licenses and if they do not we will close them down," said Bajbair.
According to Bajbair, the health affairs will study the possibility of allowing each optical group to have one central workshop to produce and repair eyeglasses. He made the statement after receiving many complaints from investors who claimed that running separate workshops at each outlet is impractical due to non-availability of qualified Saudi technicians.
Lately four optical institutions were closed down because they employed less than the required number of technicians.
Meanwhile, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced on Sunday that it will make available 10,000 pairs of eyeglasses free of cost to people with special needs, orphans and members of low-income families in 2017.
