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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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