The Social Insurance Law was issued under the Royal Decree No. M/22 dated 15/11/1969. The Annuities Branch was implemented on 01/01/1393H. and the Occupational Hazards Branch on 01/07/1402H. The Law was amended by the Royal Decree No. M/33 dated 29/11/2000. and implemented as of 01/04/2001.
The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) was established to implement the provisions of the Social Insurance Law and follow-up the process of achieving the compulsory insurance coverage, collecting contributions from employers and paying benefits for the eligible contributors or their family members.
GOSI is a semi-state body that enjoys administrative and financial independence. An eleven-member Board of Directors, supervises GOSI. The members are Minister of Labor, Chairman; GOSI Governor, Vice-Chairman; three members representing Ministries of Labor, Finance and Health; three members of highly qualified contributors; and three members of employers. GOSI exercises its activities through the Head Office and 21 field offices located in a number of regions and governorates in the Kingdom.
The Social Insurance Scheme is an aspect of social cooperation and solidarity provided by the society for citizens. The Scheme covers workers in private sector and a group of workers in public sector. It also provides the contributors and their families with a decent life after leaving work due to retirement, disability or death; medical care for contributors afflicted with work injuries or occupational diseases; and necessary compensation in the event of occupational disability or death.