DOHA: Several citizens have urged full implementation of the law which prevents salesmen working in shops selling clothes for women.
They have asked shopkeepers to obey the law and culture of the country, Al Sharq reported yesterday.
The Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Business and Trade in November 2011, issued a notice to all shops and shopping malls not to employ male sales assistants at shops selling clothes for females. It gave a grace period of three months to implement the rule.
The notice was issued under law No. 8: 2008 concerning consumer protection and giving the right of privacy to the customer and commercial activities should not disturb social and religious values.
Abdul Qassim, Director of Souq Al Jabir said, “It is not convenient for females to come to a shop where only males work and buy clothes, it’s a violation of their privacy. More over it is a violation of the law. The shopkeepers were given enough time to implement it.”
“Only about 70 percent of shops have implemented the law while others continue to ignore it. Consumer Protection Department officials do inspect shops, but they cant actually find the violators of the law as shops have male and female workers,” he further said.
A request has been also made to take strict actions against shopkeepers who violate the rule and take actions to shut down such shops.
Salah Al Hazba, CMC member said: “Implementing the law only 60 percent or 70 percent is not enough. The Consumer Protection Department should take strict action against shopkeepers who fail to obey the law. Such shops challenging the law should be shut down.”
Ali Al Asahi, a shopper said, “Even if there is no such law preventing male shop assistants selling female clothes, its about our culture and values that women don’t mix with males.
“Male sales assistants should be banned from working at shops or sections of the shops selling clothes for females.”
The Peninsula
