Saudi Gazette reports on a new Saudi government initiative to provide health and life insurance for all expat workers in the Kingdom. The move certainly has its up-side; it also has a down-side. In the future, expat workers, particularly from African countries, will have to undergo more thorough health screenings before being given work visas.

Plan for complete insurance cover for expatriates
By Shahid Ali Khan

RIYADH – Saudi Arabian National Recruitment Committee (SANARCOM) is drafting a mechanism to give complete insurance coverage to all foreign workers, SANARCOM chairman Waleed A. Al-Swaidan told Saudi Gazette here, Sunday.

The coverage will not only be related to health care but also to accidents, injuries and deaths, he said.

The final draft would be submitted for approval to the Labor Ministry.

Al-Swaidan said Saudi Arabia is applying strict health screening measures before recruiting foreign workers.

Strict health examination is conducted for recruitment of domestic helpers from African countries, which are endemic to communicable diseases such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Ebola and Yellow Fever.

SANARCOM is concerned about the health of Saudi citizens and take all possible healthcare measures before recruitment of foreign workers, particularly domestic helpers, he said.
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