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Country Pages provided by Workplace Options saudi arabia
Saudi arabia
Delivering Employee Support Services in the Global Community
Fast Facts
Population: 27,136,977 Capital City: Riyadh Political Structure: Monarchy with Council of Ministers and Consultative Council Currency: Riyal
Time Zone: AST
EaP drivErS and influEncES
Projected UtilisationThe Arab culture will influence the likelihood of EAP
utilisation and the means of service delivery. The people
of Saudi Arabia are becoming increasingly aware of the
importance of mental health and substance abuse service
delivery.
Saudi Arabians prefer to access face-to-face counselling;
however, the use of Skype is becoming a popular delivery
method. The standard cost of counselling ranges from
562.545 to 656.3025 Riyal per one-hour session.
InfluencesSaudi Aramco, which is the world’s largest oil corpora-
tion and the largest employer in Saudi Arabia, offers
the Saudi Aramco Medical Services Organisation
(SAMSO). SAMSO provides medical care and mental
health services for Saudi Aramco employees and their
family members. The mental health services include a
psychiatric outpatient clinic, a community counselling
clinic, and a behavioural health inpatient unit for adults.
Given Saudi Aramco’s presence in Saudi Arabia, it has
established a standard of care for workers.
Attitudes Toward CounsellingThere is often a stigma associated with accessing
counselling services outside of the family unit; however,
many people turn to sheikhs and traditional healers for
the treatment of some common disorders.
Attitudes Toward Alcohol and Substance AbuseSaudi Arabia has experienced a low level of drug and
alcohol abuse problems among its population.
Most Saudi Arabians are highly intolerant of drug and
alcohol consumption. Muslims are prohibited from
drinking alcohol, and Saudi Arabia has a strict policy of
prohibition for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. There
is a black market for alcohol, though, and those who
can afford to often travel out of the country to consume
alcohol in countries where it is legal.
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ProfESSional clinical QualificationS
There is not an organisation that oversees EAP accredi-
tation in Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for licensing
mental health professionals.
A master’s degree is required in order to practice
psychology, while a PhD is required in order to practice
psychiatry.
Mental health professionals generally concentrate
their education in the areas of general psychology and
psychiatry.
Mental health professionals are not required to carry
liability insurance.
national dElivEry SyStEmS
Health CareSaudi Arabia has a national health care system that is
controlled by the Ministry of Health (MOH). The MOH
provides primary care services through a network of
health care centres that are located throughout the
country. Individuals may also receive pharmaceutical
services, as well as referrals from health care centres
to receive more advanced curative care at general and
specialist hospitals.
Saudi Arabians and public-sector expatriates are eligible
to access the national health care system for no cost.
A health insurance law that was recently passed by the
MOH council requires employers to purchase private
health insurance for expatriate employees and their
dependents. Private insurance is also becoming more
popular in the public sector.
The wait can be long to access advanced medical care;
however, long wait times don’t apply to routine care.
Behavioural/Mental Health Coverage and CareThe national health care system offers treatment for
mental health issues that require hospitalisation;
however, general counselling services are not covered.
Private health insurance may be purchased in order to
ensure more comprehensive mental health coverage.
Saudi Arabia has a national mental health programme
that is overseen by the Directorate of Mental and Social
Health in the MOH. The programme aims to do the fol-
lowing: make essential mental health services accessible
to all citizens and residents; create a mental health care
model that remains in line with the social, cultural, and
religious values of the country; encourage community
involvement in the development of mental health care
services; help solve psychosocial problems, promote
social health, enhance the socioeconomic development of
society, and improve the quality of life; and decrease the
unpleasant impact of social and economic development
on society such as drug abuse, smoking, and delinquency.
Key Professional Associations
Saudi Educational and Psychological AssociationP.O. Box 2458Riyadh, 11451Saudi ArabiaTelephone: +966 (0) 1-467-4663Fax: +966 (0) 1-467-4664E-mail: gst20@ksu.edu.sa
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The Directorate of Mental and Social Health carries
out programmes during World Mental Health Day each
October. Mental health services are generally provided
through the primary health care level. Various health
care centres are staffed by MOH psychiatrists. The
department also arranges workshops that train psychia-
trists on how to train primary health care physicians to
recognise and manage common mental disorders.
In addition, the Directorates of Primary Health Care
and Mental and Social Health require all medical staff
in primary health care centres throughout the country to
attend a training programme regarding the recognition
and management of common mental disorders.
Child Care and ParentingChild care is often the responsibility of a foreign maid or
nanny who generally speaks little or no Arabic.
Saudi Arabian law requires employers that employ 50
or more women, who have at least 10 children under the
age of six among them, to provide caregivers with whom
the women can leave their children while they work.
If the employer staffs 100 or more women, by law the
employer must establish an area day care centre.
Elder CareTraditionally, family members care for their ageing
relatives. Islam places great importance on respecting
elderly individuals and ensuring that they have a good
life. The Saudi Arabian government provides facilities for
ageing individuals who are unable to receive home health
care. The government also educates communities about
the rights of the elderly through educational and media
programmes so that individuals may provide seniors
with care and protection.
Wellness ServicesThe state offers wellness services based in health clinics,
including smoking cessation clinics.
cultural charactEriSticS
LanguageThe official language of Saudi Arabia is Arabic.
Ethnic MakeupApproximately 90% of Saudi Arabia’s residents are
Arab. Afro-Asians make up the remainder of the citizen
population.
Demographic TrendsApproximately 31% of Saudi Arabia’s population is
comprised of expatriates. Many expatriates are Indian,
Pakistani, or Bangladeshi. Many Arabs from nearby
countries are also employed in Saudi Arabia.
Work EthicSaudi Arabians are known for their strong work ethic.
Lifestyle and ReligionSaudi Arabia is regarded as the birthplace of Islam and
all Saudi Arabian citizens are Muslim. With the excep-
tion of a small population of Shias, Saudi Arabians are
Sunnis. More than 50% of immigrants are also Muslim.
The country follows a strict interpretation of Islamic
religious law and the cultural environment is extremely
conservative. Men and women are prohibited from
attending public events together and they are segregated
in the workplace.
It is against the law for people to practice non-Muslim
faiths in Saudi Arabia.
Communication StylesWhen greeting one another, men generally exchange a
lingering handshake; a few kisses on the cheek may be
shared between close friends and family members. In
certain areas of the country, one may kiss the shoulder
of his superior or elder. If one is greeting an elder
family member, he may kiss his forehead as a sign of
respect. Women who are greeting one another commonly
exchange a handshake; one to three kisses on the cheek
may be shared between close friends and family mem-
bers. If one is greeting an elder family member she may
kiss her forehead as a sign of respect. Men and women
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generally do not touch in public unless they are related
by birth or they are married; any touching that does
occur is typically minimal.
Saudi Arabians generally have an indirect style of com-
munication. Familial and business hierarchy are impor-
tant in communication; therefore, one should always first
address the oldest and most senior member of a group. It
is important to give, pass, and receive objects with one’s
right hand, as the left hand is seen as unclean.
buSinESS and Economic charactEriSticS
EconomySaudi Arabia has an oil-based economy. The country is
ranked as the world’s largest petroleum exporter and it
owns approximately 20% of the world’s total oil reserves.
The petroleum sector accounts for approximately 80% of
total budget revenues and 90% of export earnings.
While the recent global financial crisis had a slight nega-
tive impact on Saudi Arabia, the country faired rather
well. Government authorities supported the financial
sector during the crisis by making direct capital injec-
tions into banks, reducing rates, and publicly confirming
the government’s guarantee of bank deposits.
Workers’ Rights LegislationAn employee is allowed to work no more than eight hours
in one day or 48 hours in one week, with the exception of
the month of Ramadan when the hours worked should
be reduced to six hours in one day or 36 hours in a week.
Individuals in certain industries or those who don’t work
continuously may be allowed to work nine hours in one
day.
Workers who have completed one year of service with an
employer are entitled to 15 days of paid vacation each
year. Individuals who have completed 10 years of service
with an employer are entitled to 21 days of paid vacation
each year.
Under the labour law, there are rules that are specific to
female employees. For instance, women are prohibited
from working in jobs that could be harmful to their
health.
Female employees are entitled to paid maternity leave
starting four weeks before their due date for delivery,
as well as six weeks of paid leave following the delivery.
An individual receives the equivalent of half of her
salary if she has worked for her employer for at least one
year, while a woman who has worked for her employer
for three or more years receives her full salary. The
woman’s employer is also obligated to pay her medical
care as it relates to the pregnancy. Once the employee
has returned to work, she is entitled to take one-hour
breaks in order to breastfeed her child, without receiving
a deduction in her salary. Employers are prohibited from
firing female employees during their maternity leave.
Status and Influence of Work Councils and/or UnionsAt this time, trade unions and work councils aren’t
present in Saudi Arabia.
CommunicationThe Saudi Telecom Company is the exclusive provider
of Internet services in Saudi Arabia. Broadband services
are available. The Saudi Telecom Company also offers
toll-free phone numbers and SMS texting.
Confidentiality IssuesSaudi Arabia currently doesn’t have data protection laws
or a data protection authority.
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Support for International Assignees
Embassies
British Embassy RiyadhP.O. Box 94351Riyadh 11693Saudi ArabiaTelephone: +966 (0) 1-488-0077 Website: http://ukinsaudiarabia.fco.gov.uk/en
Embassy of the United States Riyadh, Saudi Arabia American EmbassyP.O. Box 94309Riyadh 11693Saudi ArabiaTelephone: +966 (0) 1-488-3800Website: http://riyadh.usembassy.gov/contact-us.html
Schools
British International School of JeddahP.O. Box 6453 Prince Sultan Street Jeddah 21442Saudi Arabia Telephone: +966 (0) 2-699-0019Website: http://www.continentalschool.com
American International School - RiyadhP.O. Box 990Riyadh 11421Saudi Arabia Telephone: +966 (0) 1-491-4270Website: http://www.aisr.org
Additional Resources for US or UK Citizens
Saudi British SocietyWebsite: http://www.saudibritishsociety.org/uk/main/home.htm The Saudi British Society is a cultural organisation promoting closer friendship and understanding between the people of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
Allo Expat Website: http://www.alloexpat.com/saudi_arabia_expat_forum Allo Expat provides complete resources for retirees, expatriates, and immigrants moving to or living in Saudi Arabia, including travel and tourism discussion forums, useful tips for tourists and expats, destination travel links, a classifieds section, a hotel and real estate directory, and immigration and visa requirements.
Acceptance of counselling
EAP awareness in business world
EAP and work-life utilisation
Population of English speakers
Telephone availability
Internet access
emPloyee assistanCe and Work-life snaPshot
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