SHOPS THAT FLOUT RULES ARE FINED, ORDERED SHUT: SEDD

An official at the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) said violations of male staff being employed at lingerie and undergarment shops have decreased as licences are not issued if females are not employed.

“Continuous inspections are carried out by the authorities and complaints from the public are taken seriously. Some shops flout rules when their female staff go on leave and they keep temporary male staff,” said the official.

“We also ensure that the shops do not promote indecency. Displaying women’s clothes in an indecent manner is not allowed in Sharjah.”

Shopkeepers in the emirate who fail to employ female staff are subjected to fines and even closures. All shops selling women’s items have been notified by the SEDD to employee women.

“The shops in the emirate will be fined heavily if they fail to employ female staff to handle female customers for lingerie items,” the official added.

Keeping with the norms of the country, intimate wear shop owners must understand that keeping male staff would affect the business adversely as female customers are reluctant to explain their preferences to men, said a shop owner, who chose to remain anonymous.

“When the ban was introduced, several businesses were affected. However, now it has become normal as the authorities do not issue licences to businesses that don’t comply with the rules.”

Another shop owner, Ishaq Khan, said a large number of men from expatriate communities who have their families back in their home countries come to buy undergarments. “I have two female employees in the shop and a female cashier just to make women feel comfortable and sustain my business. My work is only supervision,” he said.”