Gulf Pensions and Social Security authorities recommend full coverage of GCC expatriate workers

The recommendation was issued during the third regional meeting of the authorities held from 9-10 December in Manama, Bahrain,

Mr. Sultan Al Gaith, General Manager of the General Pensions and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) and Head of the UAE delegation, said: "the recommendations for social security coverage of all GCC expatriates working in GCC countries will be assessed during the first year of implementation beginning January 2005, in order to evaluate the administrative and technical systems being used. As of January 2006 implementation for the complete coverage of all GCC citizens will become compulsory."

According to the recommendations, GCC employers must provide social security coverage to GCC citizens in line with the regulations of the country of residence. It was also recommended that a coordination system be established between the Social Security authority of the country of residence and the country of origin to ensure proper coverage.

Additionally, the commission recommended GCC countries revisit their pensions and social security policies with a view to identifying outstanding issues that stand in the way of a comprehensive and unified social security and pensions policy for all member countries. The unified system is due to be put into practice at the end of 2010 in compliance with the resolution of the Higher Council.

The GPSSA's objective is to provide social security for all expatriate citizens in line with its efforts to provide a secure lifestyle for all UAE nationals, regardless of their location. "Many UAE nationals are expatriates workers or self-employed, and are equally in need of financial security post employment." Al Gaith added.

The GPSSA is constantly striving, in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to provide the best quality of service to the UAE nationals with the aim of continually raising the standard of their professional environment and thereby promoting the country regionally.

The GPSSA General Manager noted that a seminar is to be organized in Kuwait next year to explore issues related to pensions and social security funding sources, and that GPSSA is to prepare the general framework, agenda, and all related details of the seminar.