Shura Committee Reviews GCC Insurance Amendments

The Services Committee of the Shura Council discussed on Monday a draft law approving amendments to the unified system for providing insurance protection to citizens of GCC nationalities working outside their home countries.

The meeting, chaired by Dr Jameela Mohammed Reda Al Salman, reviewed the proposed amendments accompanying Decree No. 38 of 2025, in the presence of the chief executive of the General Authority for Social Insurance, Sahar Rashid Al Mannai, along with a number of senior officials from the authority.

The draft law aims to strengthen insurance protection for GCC citizens employed in member states other than their own. It seeks to activate the unemployment insurance branch, expand insurance coverage, improve mechanisms for collecting contributions, and enhance coordination between civil retirement systems and social insurance institutions.

Purpose

Committee members discussed the objectives of the draft law with representatives of the General Authority for Social Insurance, focusing on the need to modernise insurance frameworks to reflect labour mobility within GCC states. The amendments are intended to ensure broader protection for citizens, while supporting fairness and long term sustainability of insurance systems.

Representatives of the authority stressed the importance of continuous and constructive cooperation with the legislative authority, describing it as a central pillar in developing the social insurance system and issuing effective legislation. They said updating laws related to extending insurance protection to GCC citizens working abroad helps preserve insurance rights and strengthens legislative integration among member states.

Integration

Dr Al Salman emphasised the importance of cooperation and integration between the legislative and executive branches, praising the level of coordination and positive engagement during committee meetings. She noted that the presence of executive authority representatives enriches discussions by incorporating technical and operational perspectives.

She said such participation contributes to drafting more comprehensive and realistic legislation that takes into account practical considerations, supports the public interest, and enhances the efficiency and sustainability of the social insurance system.

The committee is expected to continue its review of the draft law as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection frameworks across the GCC region.