GOSI Work Injury Benefits and Rights for Foreign Workers in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) continues to provide vital protection for all workers—including expatriates—in cases of work-related injuries, disabilities, or death.

Here’s what every foreign worker and employer needs to know about current GOSI policies and entitlements.

Who is covered by GOSI?

GOSI coverage is mandatory for all private sector employees in Saudi Arabia, including both Saudi nationals and expatriates. For foreign workers, GOSI primarily provides occupational hazard insurance, ensuring compensation and support in the event of workplace accidents or injuries.

Work injury coverage and compensation

If a foreign worker is injured on the job or while commuting to or from work, GOSI considers this a work-related injury. Coverage also includes accidents that occur while going to eat or pray, as well as relapses or complications from previous injuries. Key benefits include:

• Medical Treatment: GOSI covers all necessary medical expenses, including hospitalization, examinations, tests, radiology, prosthetic devices, and transportation to treatment centers.
• Daily Living Allowance: If the injury leaves a worker needing assistance with daily life, GOSI pays about 50% of the insurance claim, up to SAR 3,500 per month.
• Permanent Disability: In cases of permanent total disability, GOSI pays compensation equal to three years of wages, with a minimum of SAR 54,000.
• Death Benefits: If a worker dies due to a work injury, GOSI pays survivor benefits to eligible dependents, repatriates the body, and covers funeral and washing (Ghusl) expenses.
• Repatriation: For permanent disability or death, GOSI covers travel expenses for the worker (or their remains) to their home country.
• Final Compensation: All due compensation is paid before an injured worker or their beneficiaries leave Saudi Arabia.

Objection to medical reports

If a worker disputes the findings of the preliminary medical report, they are responsible for their own expenses while the objection is under review.

How are contributions calculated?

• Expatriate Workers: Employers pay a 2% contribution of the worker’s basic salary and housing allowance (up to a maximum base of SAR 45,000/month) for occupational hazards insurance. Expatriates are not required to contribute to pensions.
• Saudi Nationals: Both employer and employee contribute to pensions, disability, and other benefits at higher rates.

Claiming GOSI benefits

The employer must notify GOSI immediately in case of a work-related injury, disability, or death.

For deceased expatriates, the sponsor informs GOSI, and legal beneficiaries must submit notarized and authenticated documents to claim benefits.

GOSI processes the claim and pays the compensation directly to the worker or their beneficiaries.

Important points and additional tips

• Commuting accidents: Injuries occurring while traveling to or from work, or while going to eat or pray, are considered work injuries.
• Documentation: Keep all medical and police reports, as these are essential for claims.
• Employer compliance: Employers must register all employees with GOSI and pay contributions on time to avoid penalties.
• Benefit limits: Compensation calculations are subject to GOSI’s maximum salary base of SAR 45,000/month.
• Legal assistance: In case of disputes or complex claims, workers should seek assistance from their embassy or legal counsel.

Summary Table: GOSI Work Injury Benefits for Expatriates

GOSI’s system ensures that foreign workers in Saudi Arabia are protected against the financial impact of workplace injuries or death, providing security for both workers and their families