Spot checks close down Fujairah massage parlours after women found treating male clients

Fifteen massage parlours in Fujairah have been closed for breaching rules and regulations, including gender separation.

Surprise inspections carried out by the Consumer Protection Department at Fujairah Municipality in the past month found some businesses were operating out of private houses and apartments.

There were also other breaches of the law, including women being allowed to massage men.

According to rules and regulations, massage parlours should provide services to one gender only, male or female, and the staff who offer these services should be of the same gender – male staff for male clients and female staff for female clients.

If the massage centre provides services for men and women, then a separate entrance must be available for each gender and the centre must mention the opening hours for each gender at the entrance.

Abdullah Al Yamahi, director of the legal affairs department, said it terminated 15 licences after the inspections.

“The campaign aims to reduce the violations committed by these parlours and ensure their compliance with rules and regulations,” Mr Al Yamahi said.

Suad Kamel, a Syrian sales executive in Fujairah, said that she did not trust local parlours and preferred to get massages at the spa of a five-star hotel.

“I feel that the well-known spa centres are more organised, safe and clean.

“I don’t trust local parlours and I have never asked for their services,” said Ms Kamel, 31.

Ms Kamel said regular inspections should be carried out at the massage parlours to prevent illegal activities from taking place.

“It’s a service that everyone needs once in a while, especially with this busy life that we are living. If all the centres complied with the rules implemented by the authorities, we would feel much safer and have more options to choose from,” she said.

Another resident said some beauty salons offer massage services by unprofessional staff.

“I once had a back and shoulder massage and I didn’t know that the employee was not a professional. That made me suffer from severe back pain that lasted two weeks,” said Mariam Rashid, 27, an Emirati from Fujairah.

Ms Rashid said people should beware of having a massage treatment from someone not yet trained.

Inspectors found some businesses were operating out of private houses and apartments