Sanid, one of the government’s many schemes to boost job security in the private sector, which employs more than 1.5 million people, will be effective in six months from now, Abdul Rahman Al-Quwaiz, governor of the General Organization of Social Insurance (GOSI), told a press conference in his office on Sunday.
“It adds to the social safety net, such as the annuities, disability benefits, non-job-related disability benefits, and insurance against professional hazards,” said Al-Quwaiz while talking about insurance against unemployment.
Sanid, meaning support in Arabic, was approved by the Council of Ministers on Jan. 6.
Al-Quwaiz said that the scheme covers social protection for Saudi workers who are subscribers in the annuities part of social insurance, within the public and private sectors. The scheme will provide monthly income in the period during which a person leaves a job till the next job he or she gets.
He added that it will be mandatory, and will be extended to all Saudi workers and employees, regardless of their gender. There is one condition, though. The employee must be younger than 59 when the scheme begins; and he should have spent no less than 12 months in GOSI system. Also, he will not be eligible if he leaves a job of his own accord, and he cannot have a separate income from a private business.
The GOSI governor said the amount of subscription will be two percent of the wage, paid equally by the employer and the employee.
He explained that the money to be given to the worker per SANID scheme will be 60 percent of the average monthly wages of the last 24 months, for a maximum of SR 9,000 for each of the first three months of unemployment.
After that, the worker can get 50 percent of the average wage, for a maximum of SR 7,500. The minimum amount to be paid is SR 2,000.
“You can keep getting the benefits for a maximum of 12 months,” he said.
Key social insurance program within six months: GOSI chief
Key social insurance program within six months: GOSI chief
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
