Private firms open the door to Saudi women

(MENAFN- Arab News) Saudi Arabia is now leading in the creation of job opportunities for women in the private sector which is showing rapid growth in the employment of citizens in different areas. The lack of women in management has made it necessary to create opportunities in the private sector to hire women for these positions. In view of this, the Saudi Lighting Company and Nardeen Company working under the General Lighting Company (GLC) have hired 125 Saudi women to assemble products in their factories. Abdullah Lami, manager of public relations and government affairs at GLC, said that it is the first time female employees have been hired in this kind of industry. He said that female employees have outnumbered their male counterparts for the first time in the history of GLC which looks very good for the "country's economic progress." The most noteworthy achievement of GLC is to promote qualified women to different positions which will bring out the best of their abilities and talents. GLC has opened up a women's section in the factory for trained women to assemble various products for lighting up homes, gardens and commercial buildings. Lami explained that the job has been divided into sections for supervisors and technical assistants to train new employees to assemble mechanically the fluorescent lighting fixtures using electrical components with screwdrivers. The testers finally electrically test the function of the end product using comprehensive testing devices, affix the authorized logo, including the endorsement of the SASO mark and specifications of the lighting unit. Lamia added: "It's an art to assist and support the needs of a growing nation." Nadia Al-Bawad, a supervisor in GLC, said that she feels happy working in the factory and is able to support her family. "Such job openings definitely improve the living standards of Saudi families and increase the job opportunities for women in the Kingdom," she said. GLC is planning to expand the women's section by hiring 100 more female employees and adding new production lines with advanced facilities. Similarly, Star Light Company, a leading supplier in the lighting field has planned to employ women in this sector. Khalid Al-Hams, showroom and project manager, said: "We have planned to employ around 10 women in the sales outlet and customer services department. Gradually, we will increase the number of female employees and also hire them to assemble and design products in the factory." Abdullah Hashim, manager of LED Products Company, said: "Besides women working in key positions in the corporate sector, we can now see them in the lighting business. The industry has started to take advantage of this productive work force and the policy to promote women employees has successfully increased the participation of women in this field." This initiative has encouraged many local factories in the Kingdom to invest more money in employing women and to create economies and advanced societies that provide opportunities for men and women alike.