Riyadh: Rs 42m has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the rightful heirs of deceased Nepali workers under the General Organization of Social Insurance (GOSI). This transfer, completed in the last eight months, benefits the families of 166 deceased individuals.

GOSI provides financial support to the families of workers who die or suffer severe injuries while on duty. In case of work-related fatalities, the organization offers compensation equivalent to 84 months’ salary, amounting to approximately Rs 11.5m. The funds are directly wired to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, ensuring timely assistance.

Since 2002, nearly 700 cases involving Nepali workers’ deaths or severe injuries have been registered with GOSI. Among them, insurance claims for 450 deceased workers have been approved, while 205 additional cases are currently under review. However, concerns remain over pending approvals for 261 cases—115 under Riyadh and 146 under Jeddah.

Tikaram Upadhyay, First Secretary of the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh, emphasized that embassy officials are working tirelessly, even beyond office hours, to facilitate claim processing. Efforts include collaboration with GOSI, employers, the Department of Consular Services, and the Safer Migration Program (SAMI) to ensure smooth documentation and disbursement.

The embassy has also sought assistance from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), political and social organizations, civil society, and media workers to reach the families of the deceased. A dedicated WhatsApp group has been created to enhance communication with beneficiaries.

Despite the progress, challenges persist. Most Nepali workers in Saudi Arabia are unskilled laborers earning low wages, and discrepancies in salary documentation in the GOSI system often result in reduced compensation for their families. To address this, the embassy has urged Nepali workers to verify whether their employer has accurately recorded their wages with GOSI.

Damaruvallabh Poudel, Deputy Head of Mission at the Nepali Embassy in Riyadh, highlighted the crucial role played by GOSI officials, particularly their willingness to prioritize pending Nepali claims. He noted that GOSI temporarily halted processing claims from other countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to expedite Nepal’s backlog.

Efforts are ongoing to ensure all rightful heirs receive their due compensation promptly. Officials remain optimistic that, with continued cooperation between GOSI and the Nepali Embassy, more funds will be disbursed soon.