GOSI halts support for affected Saudi private sector workers not covered by SANED extension

The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) suspended its support for Saudi workers in private sector establishments that were affected by COVID-19 and were not covered by the extension and reactivation of their subscriptions.

GOSI said in a statement that the establishments, that are still weighed down by COVID-19 and are eligible for subsidy from the unemployment insurance system (SANED) over the coming period, will slash the percentage of supported Saudis to 50% of the total Saudi workers on the online social insurance system.

However, the failure to comply with this requirement will revoke the establishment's request for compensation for all workers and the employer will bear the employee wages, including social insurance subscriptions.

The activities eligible to receive the support are accommodation activities, travel agencies, tour operators, reservation services and related activities, air transportation, sporting activities, leisure and entertainment activities, creative activities and arts.

Meanwhile, workers in establishments operating in other activities will be excluded from the support program and re-registered with the same employer later during the month of October. The employer will also be required to pay full wages and social insurance subscription for the workers.

For those who are fully employed, GOSI will coordinate with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to review the establishment’s commitments periodically.

In April, King Salman issued a royal decree, stating the government, through SANED, will pay 60% of salaries of Saudi workers in the private sector establishments, impacted by the pandemic, with a monthly limit of SAR 9,000, Argaam earlier reported.

Meanwhile, GOSI recently extended support for Saudi workers in private sector establishments that are still affected by COVID-19, through the unemployment insurance system (SANED), for an additional period of three months.