By Maryam Al-Sagheer
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
RIYADH — More than 3 million Saudis, representing about 80 percent of families, have so far registered in the Citizen’s Account, according to Majed Al-Ossaimi, supervisor of the account at the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.
“The account will continue regardless of the royal decrees that have reinstated the bonuses and incentives to government employees,” he told a group of media personalities.
Ossaimi said the account was established to help Saudi citizens face the rising cost of living.
He said as many as 600 employees and 35 supervisors worked in the ministry’s Musaned e-portal to help citizens enter their personal data.
Ossaimi denied reports that the maximum monthly salary for a citizen to deserve payments from the account is SR20,161.
“Citizens with more monthly incomes may be eligible. This will be decided when the account’s policies are finally approved,” he said.
He made it clear that couples from informal unions, such as the misyar marriages, will not be included in the account.
The supervisor said Saudi women married to foreigners may register to benefit from the account’s assistance.
Ossami said the account would start disbursing assistance once the King approves the recommendations to be submitted by a ministerial committee in charge of its establishment.
“The recommendations are expected to be forwarded to the King before May 1,” he added.
Minister of Labor and Scoila Development Ali Al-Ghafees said the policies of the account and its payments will be reviewed quarterly by a special ministerial committee comprising representatives of the ministries of labor, finance, economy and planning.
He said the account would be electronically linked to 17 ministries and government departments. “The account will also be linked to the National Data Center of the Interior Ministry, which will ensure all uploaded data is accurate,” he said.
