DHL Express Saudi Arabia recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of bringing Saudi women into the company's fold.

The company hired its first Saudi woman employee 10 years ago and followed up with the hiring of more than 70 women staff, including the company’s first-ever female manager, the company said.

DHL Express Saudi Arabia is dedicated to developing the local economy and society by empowering women in the work place, allowing them to assume responsibilities that are in line with their individual talents and that will provide them the experience necessary to ascend the corporate hierarchy, it said.

Faysal Elhajjami, Saudi Arabia country general manager, said: “The decision to hire females 10 years ago has had an unqualified favourable impact on our activities in Saudi Arabia.

“It is truly amazing to look back at those days in light of the fact that we now have 72 female employees, six of whom hold managerial positions, and we expect to continue to increase the number of female employees, not only in alignment with Vision 2030, but also for the benefits they bring to our efficiency and reputation,” he said.

The anniversary celebration took place at an exclusive resort in the Eastern Province with a full day of leisure activities. In the evening, the senior management team arrived to attend a formal dinner with the female team, said a statement.

Elhajjami joined the gathering, congratulating the women on their perseverance and hard work and assuring them that they would enjoy DHL Express Saudi Arabia’s continued support.

The evening was capped off with the presentation to every woman present of a customised letter of appreciation.

DHL Express operates a large call centre in the Eastern Province with both male and female customer service agents. There are 60 female agents who work together in a dedicated facility separate from their male counterparts. DHL currently has a female presence in every function in the company, from operations to sales and human resources.

Mohammed Al Jamea, DHL Express Saudi Arabia human resources director, said: “We have been ahead of the curve in bringing competent, hard-working women onto their payroll.”

“We have placed no barriers in the way of their advancement in the company and are very accommodating as far as recognising the specific needs of a female workforce,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service