Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has intervened to address the issue of a Saudi woman employee who was prevented from sitting all throughout her working hours inside a mall in the capital city of Riyadh.

Hundreds of social media users expressed their sympathy with the woman after watching a video clip posted by her, explaining her inappropriate working condition at the mall. They also demanded the ministry to take immediate action to resolve her issue.

The ministry’s intervention came after a report was submitted to it, accompanied by a video clip in which the employee appears, saying that she stands throughout her working hours as she is not allowed to sit, irrespective of whether there are customers or not at the facility.

The ministry confirmed that it had started probing into the case of the woman. The ministry also clarified that it has ordered to take all the legal measures as well as to compel the facility to make available appropriate work environment for employees inside the mall, Al-Arabiya.net reported.

It is noteworthy that the failure to provide offices or seating for employees whose work requires standing during working hours, such as office jobs, customer service, sales accountants and the like, is considered as a punishable offense as per the Saudi Labor Law.

The penalty is SR5,000 for the violation. Under the law, the employer is obliged to provide appropriate seating for female workers while they perform their work.