Saudi women street vendors to have special markets

BURAIDAH – The Ministry of Social Affairs is working with regional mayoralties to set up special markets for Saudi women who have been working as street vendors.

The Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Yusuf Bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen said the Charitable Social Fund is preparing these markets at clean locations where Saudi woman will not be forced to compete with male or female expatriates. He said the step is being taken as the ministry wishes to discourage the spread of unregulated street vending.
He made the statement following a meeting of the Social Charitable Fund on Tuesday, during which he signed  eight agreements with Al-Qassim University and other institutions in the region in the presence of Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Al-Qassim region.
Al-Othaimeen said: “A memorandum of understanding will be signed between the fund and the mayoralties within two weeks to launch markets for women. These markets will be in locations that befit the status of the Saudi woman.”
The minister revealed that the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) pays SR1.3 billion for needy people in society. He pointed out that from the day a prisoner starts serving his prison term, social insurance is paid to his family and that the payment continues for six months after the end of his prison term.
Al-Othaimeen said: “Centers for expediting the provision of funds for prisoners’ families have been established because when the prisoner starts serving his term, his children and family and even he himself needs financial assistance to be available as soon as possible.”
He also revealed that these centers have been set up in many regions of the Kingdom and another center is currently being established in Al-Qassim.
Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz said: “The nation is socially solid and the signing of eight agreements with the Social Charitable Fund is a clear indication of the excellence of social work in the Kingdom that is being led by the Minister of Social Affairs and his colleagues in the ministry. The agreements signed are worth SR25 million and will be a strong impetus for skillful work.