Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

Insurance is part of a package of measures introduced by the ministry to safeguard the rights of employers and employees. (Reuters/File)
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Updated 09 October 2024
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Saudi Arabia launches insurance policy to protect expatriate workers

  • Authorities to enforce penalties for employers who fail to meet their obligations, official says

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority have launched an insurance service that will cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private sector defaults.

Director general of international communications and cooperation, Abdulrahman Al-Zaid, told Arab News: “The Expatriate Worker Wage Insurance Service for Private Sector Defaults is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to protect both workers and employers, while enhancing the overall efficiency and appeal of the Saudi labor market.

“The initiative is designed to create a more secure labor environment, making Saudi Arabia a leading hub for international talent.”

The service covers specific benefits as outlined in the policy, allowing foreign workers in defaulting companies to receive their entitlements — within the financial limits of the policy — and provide a plane ticket to return to their home country, if they wish to do so, within the policy’s financial limits, he said.

Insurance is part of a package of measures introduced by the ministry to safeguard the rights of employers and employees.

Al-Zaid explained how the insurance policy works for the benefit of the expatriates: “In rare cases when wages are not fulfilled, this insurance service will cover unpaid wages and entitlements for up to six months, with a maximum compensation payout of SR17,500 ($4,661) provided the combined rights of all workers do not exceed the overall insurance coverage limit for the company.”

But this payout is contingent on 80 percent or more of the workers in the establishment not having received their wages or entitlements, per the ministry’s regulations.

The initiative is part of the ministry’s commitment to creating a fair and secure labor environment for employers and employees.
 
Affected workers who wish to return to their home countries will be provided with a travel ticket, with cover up to SR1,000 ($266).
 
Al-Zaid said a worker is entitled to a return ticket to their home country “if they wish to leave the country directly without transferring their services to another company and can provide proof of completing all necessary procedures for departure, such as obtaining an exit visa and proof of a travel booking to their home country.”

Private sector employees wishing to apply for the insurance policy can submit claims through the designated insurance company responsible for handling compensation claims.

The ministry will oversee the process to ensure compliance and smooth execution of the service.
 
The introduction of this service does not absolve employers of their responsibilities, and they will still be fully responsible for meeting their wage obligations.

“The ministry will continue to enforce strict measures, including penalties for employers who deliberately fail to meet their obligations,” Al-Zaid added. 
 
Abdul Ghaffar is an expat, originally from India, who has been living in the Kingdom for the past 24 years working as a senior consultant in talent development.

When asked if he had ever been affected by a company defaulting in Saudi Arabia, Ghaffar said: “I have never personally witnessed any instances where companies defaulted on paying my salary. But one of my close friends, who worked for a private construction company, was facing financial difficulties.

“The company delayed salaries for several months, causing significant stress for him and his family. It becomes very critical, especially (for) expatriates who rely on timely wages to support their families back home.”

He said that the situation was resolved but it took months for the individual’s account settlement and exit process. The case highlighted the vulnerability that expatriate workers face in such circumstances, he added.

The ministry and the Insurance Authority's new policy aims to protect expatriates from vulnerabilities such as these.

“I believe the new wage insurance policy is a positive step forward. It shows that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is taking the necessary steps to protect expatriates working in Saudi Arabia,” Ghaffar said. “This policy will not only provide financial relief to workers impacted by company defaults but also create a more secure and attractive environment for expatriates considering working in the Kingdom.”

Ghaffar said of the new policy that the “travel ticket assistance also reflects the ministry’s understanding of the needs of expatriates who might want to return home in such situations.”

He said he believes the new initiative will “enhance Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a fair and competitive destination for international talent.”

The insurance cover for eligible workers began on Oct. 6, 2024. 


Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16

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Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16

  • Representatives from 196 countries attended the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia
  • During the Oct. 21-Nov. 1 gathering, KSA was awarded the “Green List” certification for its achievements at the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve and the Ibex Protected Area

CALI, Colombia: The Kingdom remains committed to advancing global biodiversity and environmental protection, its delegates have emphasized at the meeting of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia.

The delegation at the COP16 gathering, which began on Oct. 21 and runs to Nov. 1, was led by Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife.

Representatives from 196 countries convened under the theme “Peace with Nature.”

“Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of its land and marine areas by 2030, in alignment with the UN’s biodiversity conservation objectives,” the Saudi Press Agency reported earlier this week.

“This pledge reflects Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to conserving natural habitats, safeguarding endangered species, and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change.”

The Saudi delegation emphasized the importance of expanding data sources for biodiversity monitoring, stressing that comprehensive and accurate reporting is essential to strengthen conservation strategies.

They also advocated for enhanced integration of regional efforts with global biodiversity goals, while highlighting the critical need for capacity-building programs in the Arab region that focus on collaborative learning and information exchange.

Saudi Arabia was awarded the prestigious “Green List” certification at COP16 in recognition of its achievements at the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve and the Ibex Protected Area. This recognition highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to sustainable biodiversity practices and effective ecosystem management.

Reflecting on this recognition, Qurban said: “Our participation in COP16 reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting global biodiversity efforts and advancing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in 2022.

“This ambitious framework provides a roadmap for achieving harmony with nature, with the 30x30 target — a commitment to protecting and restoring 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030 — as a key objective.”

Qurban added: “The Saudi delegation’s involvement in this conference reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to ecosystem protection and biodiversity enhancement, in alignment with Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the National Environmental Strategy.”

He expressed optimism about the conference’s potential to drive meaningful global biodiversity outcomes and inspire innovative solutions to sustainable development.

The Saudi Arabia delegates also highlighted national conservation initiatives, including preparations for the 16th Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification, which Saudi Arabia will host from Dec. 2 to 13.

The Kingdom’s delegates extended invitations to their global counterparts and provided insights on conference documents that reflect Saudi Arabia’s national priorities.
 


Saudi Fashion Commission charts new course with elite training programs

Updated 39 min 4 sec ago
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Saudi Fashion Commission charts new course with elite training programs

  • Partnership features “innovative educational programs combining cutting-edge knowledge with practical experience, creating a platform for designers, brand owners, and investors to thrive in the fashion world"

RIYADH: The Saudi Fashion Commission has partnered with the Institut Français de la Mode and Misk Foundation to launch a new educational initiative, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The partnership features “innovative educational programs combining cutting-edge knowledge with practical experience, creating a platform for designers, brand owners, and investors to thrive in the fashion world,” according to the SPA.

The initiative consists of five training courses, including the Executive Business Management Qualification in Fashion, which has three phases: virtual training, in-person training in Riyadh and Paris, and project development. It includes preliminary sessions in Riyadh covering planning, marketing, sales, brand identity, business strategy, and visual merchandising, while the Paris sessions focus on digital marketing, financial management, product development, and production.

The Advanced Sustainability Practices course will be delivered through virtual training and in-person sessions in Riyadh. It covers fashion sustainability fundamentals, the circular fashion economy, sustainable fashion innovation and technology, and the implementation of sustainability measures and social responsibility through practical business models.

The Design Research course “bridges global trends with local heritage.” The six-day program establishes core project guidelines essential for fashion collection development, while “exploring creative intersections between contemporary global fashion, traditional materials, local textiles, and architectural influences,” the SPA reported. The two-phase course combines virtual learning with hands-on training in Paris.

The seven-day Visual Merchandising and Commerce course in Riyadh covers brand-building fundamentals, marketing essentials, visual display techniques, trend analysis and forecasting, business insights, and distribution strategies.

The Fashion Photography course offers six days of intensive training in Riyadh, providing “a comprehensive exploration of fashion photography with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, focusing on visual storytelling in the industry,” the SPA stated. 

Through its collaboration with IFM and Misk Foundation, the Fashion Commission “aims to elevate fashion education standards and provide individuals with fundamental tools for excellence in the competitive fashion world,” the SPA concluded.


 


Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

Updated 01 November 2024
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Taif: A bee paradise, flourishes among wild flora

  • Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products

RIYADH: In the heart of Saudi Arabia, Taif’s beekeepers are revolutionizing honey production while staying true to their craft’s ancient roots.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that these artisans meticulously oversee every step of production, from harvesting pristine honeycombs to delivering the final product, adhering to rigorous quality standards that have made Taif honey renowned throughout the region.

“The honey supply chain begins long before the first drop is collected,” beekeeper Mohsen Al-Mudaifi said in an exclusive interview with the SPA. Operating about 500 hives, Al-Mudaifi’s operation yields an impressive 70-130 kg of honey during peak flowering seasons. His production line accommodates both traditional comb honey and liquid varieties, catering to diverse consumer preferences.

According to SPA, the secret to Taif’s thriving apiculture lies in its diverse landscape. The Tihama lowlands and the Sarawat highlands create a tapestry of microclimates rich in wild flora. This natural bounty includes aromatic shrubs, traditional thorn jujube trees, and a variety of indigenous plants such as acacia tortilis, sweet acacia and Astragalus.

The area also hosts distinctive mountain vegetation and the acacia asak plants. All these florae are considered premium honey-producing species, growing naturally in their pristine environment, and each contributing to the region’s distinctive honey varieties.

Taif has established itself as a distinctive hub with its specialized honey market and diverse bee products, anchored by a vibrant weekly honey auction. The practice, deeply woven into the region’s cultural fabric, has been passed down through generations.

In an annual ritual, beekeepers from the Sarawat mountains and Ghazwan peaks prepare for their seasonal migration, SPA reported.

This carefully orchestrated movement will soon see millions of bees transported in cylindrical or square hives to warmer climates, particularly to Taif’s Tihama region. Many will find their winter home in Al-Buhaita Wild Park, a sanctuary that has become both a tourist destination and a crucial waypoint in Taif’s honey production cycle.


MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

Updated 01 November 2024
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MEWA and NCVC launch National Afforestation Season in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, along with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification, launched the National Afforestation Season for this year on Thursday in Riyadh under the title: “We Plant for Our Future.”

Khalid Al-Abdulqader, CEO of the NCVC, expressed his commitment to raising awareness about the significance of afforestation. He emphasized the need to support efforts to enhance vegetation cover and mitigate land degradation.

Through this season, the CEO aims to promote environmental sustainability and encourage the cultivation of local plants to improve the biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is taking further steps toward achieving the ultimate goal of the Saudi Green Initiative, SGI, which is to plant 10 billion trees and rehabilitate 40 million hectares.

However, it requires strengthening partnerships with multiple sectors including the public and private sectors, and promoting volunteering among the society to achieve sustainable development goals.

The planting season also seeks to increase “tree planting” culture in Saudi Arabia, improve vegetation cover, and reduce land degradation by growing more local plants.

This initiative marks a new phase in environmental protection efforts, which have already led to the planting of more than 95 million trees across the country through collaborations between public and private sectors.

Previous partnerships have successfully rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of land and protected more than 4.3 million hectares, while this year, the target is to contribute to the SGI’s goal of planting 10 billion trees.

The Kingdom has been encouraging afforestation recently to tackle several environmental issues such as the rapidly changing climate, through lowering regional temperatures and controlling the severity of drought.

Saudi Arabia called on the world’s policymakers last month to urgently address land destruction and drought, especially since the country will be hosting the 16th UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16 in Riyadh in December.


Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

Updated 01 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia affirms high workplace safety standards in response to false reports

  • Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, says oversight council

RIYADH: In response to false reports, Saudi Arabia’s government has affirmed that the Kingdom has one of the world’s lowest rates of workplace fatalities, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health issued a statement, carried by the SPA, highlighting that work-related fatalities stand at 1.12 per 100,000 workers.

“The International Labour Organization acknowledges this progress, highlighting … that Saudi Arabia has made significant advancements in improving occupational safety and health and reducing workplace accidents at the national level,” the council stated.

“Similar commendations have been offered by other reputable international organizations, including the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and the British Safety Council.”

The council was created primarily to integrate national policies and global best practices for occupational safety and health in the workplace.

On the legislative side, Saudi Arabia’s labor laws have mandated that employers provide comprehensive health insurance including essential preventive, therapeutic and healthcare services for all employees, the council stated.

The statement added: “Regulations also restrict work under direct sunlight during the summer months and establish working hours in accordance with international standards set forth in relevant ILO agreements.

“We emphasize the importance of verifying information and sourcing it from credible outlets.”