Plans for five women-only worker cities in Saudi Arabia that would provide a working environment in line with the kingdom’s strict customs on gender segregation face significant obstacles and are unlikely to materialise, according to a recruiter based in the region.

Hofuf in the Eastern Province of the kingdom, the first of the five proposed cities, is due to open next year after gaining ministerial approval. It is expected to create about 5,000 jobs in textiles, pharmaceuticals and food processing, with women-run firms and production lines. 

The aim of the cities is to give women more opportunities to work and develop their careers, while maintaining strict gender segregation in line with Sharia law and local tribal customs. Women in Saudi Arabia make up around 15% of the workforce, with most working in female-only environments.

A recent poll of working women in the kingdom found that 65% wanted to achieve financial independence through their careers. 

Gavin Walker, managing director Middle-East and North Africa at recruiter Parkhouse Bell, whose regional office is based in Dubai and does 80% of its business in Saudi Arabia, tells Recruiter: “I would be surprised if all five happened, maybe one or two will materialise.” 

While he agrees the new cities will offer opportunities to women, he says they are “only part of the solution”.

“There are more fundamental issues, such as the ability to drive [women are unable to drive in the kingdom] and family life, which is at the centre of Saudi culture.”

He says he has come across cases where women have got a job in a call centre and their husband has told them not to go back “because they don’t want them talking to strange men on the phone”.

Walker adds that women don’t want to work in a women-only environment and says he finds it difficult to see any commercial imperative for employing Saudi women without work experience, when there are millions of migrant workers from the Philippines and India who can be employed more cheaply. 

Richard Morten, chief operating officer at technical and ICT recruiter Rize Consulting, based in Riyadh, tells Recruiter: “The more opportunities there are for females the better because the culture is not like that of the UK where males and females can work alongside one another in the workspace. Without designated female areas it is not possible in many work environments to hire females.”

However, he questions whether the new cities are going to entice Western companies, and says he is “unsure” whether client companies in the technical/ICT sector will be prepared to make the necessary investment in infrastructure to create duplicate environments within their organisations that would allow women to work.

“I would prefer it if Saudi Arabia moved to a society where people worked hand in hand rather than continue segregation,” adds Morten.