Frequently asked questions
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71 questions
What does “transition” mean?
It means the employees of a government body move from the Civil Service system, or another employment system, to the Labor Law, following a decision by the Council of Ministers.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What does “privatization” mean?
It means the employees and workers of the Ministry of Health move from the public sector to Health Holding Company. The company is fully owned by the State and has its own legal personality and its own finances.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will Health Holding replace the Ministry of Health?
No. The company takes over the operating work the Ministry used to do. The Ministry stays responsible for regulation and supervision.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What is Health Holding Company?
It is a company fully owned by the State. It provides health care through its health clusters. It was set up by Council of Ministers Decision No. 469 dated 19/8/1443H.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What is a health cluster?
A health cluster is a connected network of health facilities in a defined area. It is responsible for providing complete health services to the people of its area, with a focus on quality.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Who is an “employee” in this guide?
Anyone who holds a public civil post under the Civil Service system (or another employment system) and the civil retirement system.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Who is a “worker” in this guide?
Anyone who works for a government body under the Labor Law and the social insurance (GOSI) system. In the Ministry they are called “self-operated staff”.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will my pay change when I move?
You will get a work contract that makes sure your basic pay and your total pay are not lower than before the move.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Which salary is the transfer request based on?
Your current total salary approved by the Ministry of Health, taking into account any change in promotions, allowances or benefits.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Which allowances will the new contract include?
The contract includes the housing allowance and the transport allowance only, so that your total pay does not drop.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is the housing allowance paid yearly or monthly?
The housing allowance is paid monthly.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happened to my other monthly allowances?
Monthly allowances were merged into the new total salary, so your total pay does not go down, under Council of Ministers Decision No. 616.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Does the excellence allowance continue?
The excellence allowance was replaced by an annual reward for outstanding staff, based on performance evaluation.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will there be a supervision allowance?
The supervision allowance is paid yearly. It is not one of the monthly allowances merged into the total salary.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will I get my earlier dues, such as the excellence allowance for 2024 and 2025?
Yes. The Ministry of Health keeps paying dues from earlier procedures. Anything not paid at the time of the move is paid as part of the end-of-service procedures.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is anything deducted in the transfer request besides GOSI?
No. The only deduction is the standard social insurance (GOSI) deduction.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Do the rules for getting allowances change after the move?
While your contract with the Ministry of Health is still valid, the current allowance rules apply, based on what you were entitled to before signing. After the move, the health cluster's rules apply.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will I get a transfer request or the contract directly?
You get a transfer request first. It is sent to everyone who passed the selection criteria, and you can accept or decline.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What are the selection criteria?
Under Council of Ministers Decision No. 616:
For staff under the Health Regulation: qualifications, experience, performance evaluation and SCFHS classification.
For administrative staff: qualifications, experience and performance evaluation.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What if my evaluation is below 3?
Performance evaluation is one of the criteria, not the only one. Each person is considered under the approved selection criteria.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Are any qualifications excluded, or is there a minimum qualification?
No qualification is excluded and there is no minimum. What matters is that your qualification matches the requirements of your current job.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What is the contract based on?
The contract is based on your current job title and its requirements for qualifications and experience. If a job needing a higher qualification opens, it is announced through internal recruitment and anyone who meets the conditions can apply.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will my job title change?
No. The job offer comes with your current job title.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
My job changed from technician to administrative. Which job will I move with?
The offer is based on your data in Mawared, with your current title. Changes in title, promotions or allowances are taken into account before the request is sent.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Do technicians working in administrative jobs go back to technical jobs before the contract?
The contract is made with your current title, and your case is reviewed under the approved promotion policy, based on your qualifications and experience.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I have a qualification higher than my job needs. Will I move with it?
You move into your current job according to the qualification recorded in the system, not the higher one.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I am on a study scholarship. What happens?
They will contact you after you return and start work again, to arrange the move and send you a request that fits your new qualification.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What kind of contract does a civil-service employee get after the move?
The contract is under the Labor Law and the social insurance (GOSI) system, with the pay and benefits in force.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
How long is the contract?
The contract lasts two years and renews automatically for a similar period, unless one side tells the other it does not want to renew. The contract is built on Council of Ministers Decision No. 616.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
How is the contract renewed?
The rule is that the contract is renewed with the same pay and benefits, unless there is a legal reason that prevents it.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is there a probation period?
No. The contract has no probation period.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will my working hours change?
The transfer request states your weekly working hours, in line with the Labor Law in force in the Kingdom.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I am assigned to work in another region. Where do I move?
The move is to the health cluster of your current workplace, whatever your original post.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I work for a company affiliated with a hospital. Does the move cover me?
No. Your contract follows the operating company you work for, and affiliated companies are not among the groups covered by the move.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I am a worker (self-operated). Does my service end and start again?
You get a new contract and the pay and benefits in force. Your social insurance (GOSI) contributions continue, and your service counts as continuous for end of service and leave.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What is the position of staff on the “wage item”?
They are treated under the worker provisions of Decision 616. If they meet the selection criteria and want to move, work contracts are made with them, and:
Their basic and total pay is not lower than before.
Their social insurance (GOSI) contributions continue, and their service counts as continuous for end of service and leave.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What should I do before the job offer arrives?
Update your data in Mawared. The transfer request is sent to your ministry email based on the data saved there.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I am on leave and have not received a transfer request. Why?
Requests are sent to staff whose status is “Active” in Mawared. If your status is “Inactive” you will not get a request. For help, contact the Employee Care Department.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happens after I accept the transfer request?
Accepting the request is part of the employment contract. You then get a text message from Qiwa to document the contract under the Labor Law.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
How do I accept the contract in Qiwa?
Log in to Qiwa Individuals, choose “Services”, then “Employment contracts”. There you review the contract sent to you and accept it.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is the move compulsory or optional?
If you meet the selection criteria, you can choose between moving and staying under the current rules. If you do not want to move, the procedures in the relevant regulations and decisions are followed.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happens to a civil-service employee who does not want to move?
You may transfer your post to another government body, in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Finance, within no more than 6 months from the Ministry's approval of your request and notice of its decision. This can be extended for a similar period with the Minister's approval, only in the narrowest cases.
During this period you may be absent one full day a week, or eight hours a week, to look for another body.
If you do not transfer within the period, your rights and dues are settled and your service in the post ends.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happens to someone with more than 25 years of service who does not want to move?
You can choose between:
Early retirement under the rules in force.
Transferring your post to another government body within no more than 6 months. During this time you may be absent one full day a week to look for work.
If you do not transfer within the period, your service in the post ends.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happens to a worker (Labor Law) who does not want to move?
His contract ends, and his rights and dues are settled under the regulations in force.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Can I change my mind after declining the request?
No. Under Decision 616, a set of procedures starts as soon as you report your acceptance or refusal, depending on your type of employment.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What if my service is more than 25 years?
If you want to move, your earlier civil-retirement service is added to your new GOSI service under the benefit-exchange system. If you do not want to move, you may ask for early retirement.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will I get a job offer if I have more than 25 years of service?
Yes. If you pass the selection criteria, a work contract is made with you whatever your years of service.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
If I have 25 years or more and I accept the move, can I take early retirement after two years?
If you accept the move, you can choose between early retirement and adding your earlier service to your new service, under paragraphs 2-b and 3 of Article 13 of Council of Ministers Decision No. 616. After the move the rules in force apply and your service counts as continuous, so you can use it later to ask for early retirement.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I chose early retirement. Can I sign a contract with the health cluster?
No. Someone who chose early retirement cannot sign a new work contract with the body he was transferred to.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Does merged service count as an extension of my earlier service for early retirement?
Yes. Merged service counts as an extension of your earlier service, and you can use it for early retirement after the move.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I have 23 years of service and I move. Can I use it for early retirement after two more years?
Yes. Your service counts as continuous, and you can use it for early retirement under the rules in force.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Do I have to complete a full 25 years under the Labor Law to get early retirement?
No. One benefit of Decision 616 is that your civil-service years count towards your Labor Law service for early retirement, once you accept the transfer request.
Example: someone with 20 years before the move needs only 5 more years to qualify for early retirement, under the GOSI rules.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I am 59 and received a transfer request. Must I complete the two years, or can I retire at 60?
The transfer request binds the health cluster only. It does not stop you from asking to retire when you reach 60, under the GOSI rules.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Do I get a reward when I move?
Yes, if you are a civil-service employee. A reward is paid under Council of Ministers Decision No. 616: 16% of your basic salary for each year of service (pro-rata for part of a year), with the total not more than four basic salaries. Or the end-of-service reward you would be due under your previous employment system, whichever is higher.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
My service is under 25 years and I chose to merge it into GOSI. What are my rights?
Your financial dues, if any (assignments, allowances…), are paid. You get the move reward (16% of basic pay for each year, up to four basic salaries, or the end-of-service reward under your previous system, whichever is higher). Your leave balance is compensated under your previous employment system. Your pension is calculated under the benefit-exchange system between civil retirement and GOSI.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is there medical insurance after the move?
Yes. It covers treatment for you, your family and your parents inside the health cluster network and affiliated networks. For coverage details, contact the Employee Care Department.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Is there an annual raise?
Yes. The annual raise depends on performance evaluation and is a percentage of basic pay. When basic pay goes up, the housing and transport allowances go up too, which also raises your end-of-service reward and pension.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
How is the annual performance evaluation done?
With a 360-degree evaluation that includes your direct manager, colleagues, team members and the people you serve, under an approved process that ensures fairness and transparency.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Will the move affect a promotion I am about to get?
If the promotion is due and its decision was issued before the contract starts, it counts in the new title. Changes in title, pay and allowances from the date offers are sent until contracts are signed are taken into account.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What happens to my leave balance?
Civil-service employee: your leave balance and end-of-service reward are compensated under your previous employment system. Balance from 1/7/1439H until the end of service is compensated up to 72 days, earlier balance up to 180 days, and the total never goes above 180 days.
Worker (self-operated): your service counts as continuous for leave and end of service, and your full leave balance moves with you.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What about compensatory leave?
Take your compensatory leave before you sign the contract. After signing, compensatory leave balances are not carried over.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
Can I use my leave after accepting the request and before signing the contract?
Yes, at any time before you sign the contract. Staff are encouraged to use the leave they have.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I have unused compensatory leave. Do I lose it when the transfer request arrives?
No. A civil-service employee gets a grace period of up to 60 days between accepting the transfer request and the start of the contract, to use annual or compensatory leave, under the approved procedures and without affecting work needs.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
My leave was approved earlier. Is it cancelled after I sign the contract?
If the leave starts after you sign the contract, it is counted from the new balance and you need to submit a new leave request.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
I work in a health center. Who do I go to for leave and evaluation?
There is no change to the organization structure. Work continues under the approved chain of management, including your direct manager.
Source: Health Holding – FAQ
What is the maximum number of working hours under the Labor Law?
A worker may not actually work more than eight hours a day, or forty-eight hours a week. In Ramadan, hours for Muslims drop to six a day or thirty-six a week. (Labor Law, Article 98). Your own working hours are written in your transfer request.
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)
How is the end-of-service reward calculated under the Labor Law?
When the work relationship ends, the employer pays the worker a reward for his service: half a month's pay for each of the first five years, and one month's pay for each year after that. It is based on the last wage, and part-years count in proportion. (Labor Law, Article 84)
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)
How soon must a worker's rights be settled after his service ends?
If the employer ends the contract, wages are paid and rights settled within one week at most. If the worker ends the contract, his rights are fully settled within no more than two weeks. (Labor Law, Article 88)
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)
What is the benefit-exchange system?
A system that lets someone who worked under civil service or military retirement and then moved to GOSI (or the other way round) add the first contribution period to the later one, so both count when his retirement dues are worked out.
Do merged periods qualify me for a pension before age 60?
As a rule they do not. The exceptions are merging that results from transition or privatization, and end of service because of death, disability or being removed from service.
Can I receive the pension for merged periods and a salary together?
No. When merging results from transition or privatization, the pension for the merged periods cannot be combined with a salary or wage.
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