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The Social Services Network
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An advanced social services program covers the needs of all Saudis, including the elderly |
The system of social services aims to ensure that every citizen has a decent standard of living. The government's commitment to the well-being of the community, following Islamic principles, underlies the social stability of the Kingdom. A wide range of programs exemplifies the government's concern for social welfare.
The General Organization for Social Insurance administers programs that support workers or their families in cases of disability, retirement and death. In 1992, the system covered 3.14 million workers in about 15.500 private and public sector firms. It covers occupational hazards for employees, a plan that was instituted in 1982 and has benefitted millions of workers.
Another major program provides social security pensions, benefits and relief assistance to the disabled, the elderly, orphans and widows without income.
In 1993, King Fahd instructed the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to increase the monthly stipends of social security recipients by between 43 and 138 percent depending on the status and needs of each case. The decree raised social security allocations to 693.3 million dollars in 1993.
The social services programs care for patients at home rather than in an institution whenever possible. Out of 60 centers around the country that care for those with social, economic and physical problems, six specialize in rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents, nine in assisting the elderly and 14 in caring for orphans .
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