Inclusive or exclusive? Examining the dynamics of social protection in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This article provides an analysis of social protection responses to the pandemic in Saudi Arabia with a focus on policies targeted at migrant workers. Using data from multiple pandemic-era policy tracking databases and other resources, we use a descriptive case study through the lens of comparative welfare regime theory to include a comprehensive set of social protection and labor market measures. We found that, in sum, the Saudi government expansively scaled up its social protection system in response to COVID-19 with 86 implemented social protection measures. Labor market policies in the form of wage subsidies, labor regulations, and activation measures were the most prevalent type of social protection responses used by the Saudi government, complemented by social assistance measures in the form of cash transfers, food, vouchers, utility, and financial obligation support. Social insurance measures such as paid sick leave, healthcare insurance, unemployment insurance schemes, and social security contributions were the least adopted. Despite its expansions, the Saudi social protection system continued to largely neglect non-citizens and migrant workers. Saudi social protection system must pivot toward the full inclusion of non-citizens and migrant workers. COVID-19 has highlighted systemic gaps in Saudi social protection systems. It has magnified some of the country’s critical social protection challenges, which can inform future crisis response and the development of social protection systems.