The Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) is the Bahraini government body that manages the country's social insurance and pension system. It administers contributions and benefits covering retirement, disability, death, and unemployment, and it is the counterpart to similar bodies elsewhere in the GCC such as Saudi Arabia's GOSI.
Employers are required to register eligible employees with the SIO and remit monthly contributions, which are split between employer and employee for the relevant categories. The scope of mandatory coverage for expatriate workers has been adjusted over time, including the gradual extension of certain contributions, so workers should confirm what applies to their category through the SIO or their employer.
For expatriates, SIO contributions can affect end-of-service entitlements and unemployment cover, making it worth understanding how contributions are recorded against your account.