The Saudi government recently launched a new insurance program to protect the wages of expatriate workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Residents in Saudi Arabia working in the private sector can benefit from this new system designed to protect their unpaid wages and dues in the event that their employer faces financial difficulties.

According to what was announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, this new decision has actually come into effect as of October 6, within the framework of joint cooperation between the Ministry of Human Resources and the General Organization for Social Insurance.

The Ministry aims, through this new insurance service for residents in Saudi Arabia, to secure the wages of struggling expatriate workers in the private sector, reduce the risks associated with non-payment of wages, and facilitate their return to their home countries if necessary.

All residents in Saudi Arabia and workers in the private sector at an establishment that has a commercial register are entitled to benefit from this service, and it is possible to verify their inclusion in the wage insurance service by using the residence number only, through the labor.aletihad.sa website.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Human Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has excluded some categories from this service.

Categories exempted from the insurance system:

  • Workers in establishments wholly owned by the government.
  • Workers exempted by the Ministry according to the probation period and date of their arrival in the Kingdom.
  • Domestic workers and those in similar positions.
  • Seasonal or temporary workers.
  • Members of the employer's family who work in an establishment consisting of them alone, including the wife, children and grandchildren.
  • Athletes from sports clubs or federations and their coaches.
  • Agricultural workers, farm workers and those in similar professions.
  • Non-Saudi workers coming to the country to perform a specific task for a period of less than two months.

Eligibility for a travel ticket (return ticket)

To qualify for a travel ticket, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Intend to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • ​​Have not transferred to another employer.
  • Have completed all legal departure procedures, including obtaining a final exit visa.