Men can’t sell lingerie in Dubai

DUBAI: Sharjah emirate of the United Arab Emirates has prohibited men from selling lingerie in shops and all outlets have been advised that only women should be hired for this sales position.

“We have issued instructions to all shops and shopping centres to hire only female employees to sell women’s garments, and it must be abided by,” Ali Bin Salem Al Mahmoud, Director General of the Sharjah Economic Development Department, was quoted as saying in the media. The Department has already shut down 10 shops for flouting the rule.

During the campaign which was held earlier this month, 40 shops were found flouting the rules and 10 shops were forced to shut down, he said. At present, other emirates in the country do not have a similar rule. “Getting women salesmen is difficult,” said one shopkeeper. The ruling follows similar laws in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

In January, Kuwait issued an order banning men from working in shops selling women’s lingerie. The decision, issued by the ministry of social affairs and labour, gave businesses until April 7 to implement the ban or face a fine of up to $700 for each violating worker.
It said special inspectors from the ministry would enforce the ban.