A new life insurance plan to protect Indian expat workers in the U.A.E

 The United Arab Emirates recently announced a new insurance scheme specifically designed for Indian workers. The scheme called the Life Protection Plan (LPP), offers financial security to their families in case of a worker's death.

Here are the key features of the LPP:

• Compensation: The LPP offers compensation of up to Dh75,000 (around USD $20,445) to the beneficiary in case of the worker's death due to an accident or natural causes. The compensation amount varies depending on the chosen premium plan.
• Eligibility: The scheme is open to Indian workers aged 18 to 70 years working in the UAE.
• Affordability: The LPP aims to be accessible with annual premiums ranging from Dh37 to Dh72.
• Repatriation Coverage: The plan also includes Dh12,000 to cover the costs of repatriating the deceased worker's remains back to India.

This scheme fills a gap in employment benefits for many blue-collar Indian workers in the UAE. It provides their families with some financial support during a difficult time.

Here are some additional details about the Life Protection Plan (LPP) for Indian workers in the UAE:

Enrollment:

• The LPP launched on March 1, 2024.
• Enrollment is facilitated through the Indian Consulate in Dubai, which partnered with major UAE companies recruiting blue-collar workers and two insurance service providers.
• It's unclear yet if individual workers can directly enroll, as the current information suggests the program operates through employer participation.

Benefits:

• Compensation: As mentioned before, the compensation ranges from Dh35,000 to Dh75,000 depending on the chosen premium plan.
• Premium Plans: There are three premium options:
• Dh37 per year - provides Dh35,000 in compensation
• Dh50 per year - provides Dh50,000 in compensation
• Dh72 per year - provides Dh75,000 in compensation
• Repatriation Coverage: The plan offers Dh12,000 to cover the cost of repatriating the deceased worker's remains back to India.
• Claim Process: Specific details about the claim process haven't been widely reported yet. However, it's likely claims will be handled by the chosen insurance company upon notification by the employer or beneficiary.

Important Considerations:

• This is a relatively new program, and details might evolve over time.
• It's crucial for individuals to consult with the Indian Consulate in Dubai or their employer for the latest information and enrollment procedures.
• It's important to understand the complete terms and conditions of the specific LPP plan offered by the chosen insurance company before enrollment.

For further details and inquiries, it's recommended to reach out to the Indian Consulate in Dubai or your employer's HR department. They can provide the most up-to-date information and guide you through the enrollment process if applicable.  

New domestic worker insurance plan launched in U.A.E

The Ministry of Interior launched on Tuesday a new initiative — an insurance rights document for domestic workers — in a joint press conference by the Ministry of Interior and AXA Green Crescent, the initiative’s strategic partner.

This move comes in line with the announcement by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of 2017 being the year of giving.

The initiative aims at supporting individuals and private sector companies sponsoring domestic workers to promote social responsibility, perform their roles in serving the country and contribute to the development of the country.

An official source in AXA Green Crescent told Gulf News that this document is completely different from the health insurance policy imposed by the residency laws and regulations for domestic workers and only covers matters not related to those covered by the health insurance, such as covering expenses of transporting bodies of deceased domestic workers or sponsored individuals to his or her home country or covering travel expenses of domestic workers who are not medically fit or those who do not fulfil medical tests prior to issuing of residency, or covering costs of domestic workers who flee or run away from their sponsors.

Brigadier Dr Rashid Sultan Al Khadr, spokesman for Naturalisation and Residency Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, said “that the ministry has partnered with AXA Green Crescent to design and provide the necessary service for residents in the United Arab Emirates, after screening and selection process, aimed at determining the implementation of the initiative in line with the ministry’s strategy in strengthening and enhancing their plans to please customers.Brig Al Khadr added that the document on ensuring domestic workers’ rights is not mandatory for UAE nationals and residents sponsoring individuals or domestic workers.

The annual premium of the insurance policy for domestic workers starts from Dh100 and covers three cases of running away, failing to pass medical tests upon issuing of residency and covering travel and transport expenses if the domestic worker dies.

The company will act on behalf of the sponsor and finish all the necessary procedures and will pay Dh5,000 to the sponsor if the domestic worker dies or is medically unfit and will cover the travel expenses if the domestic worker flees from the sponsor.

The insurance policy covers maids, drivers and domestic workers sponsored by citizens and residents aged between 18 and 64.

The insurance holder can pay an additional Dh100 for additional benefits of optional compensation for domestic workers, and based on that additional benefit in case of the death of a domestic worker, the company will pay Dh50,000 to the respective individuals during the insurance period.

AXA Green Crescent expects 10 per cent of domestic workers sponsored by citizens and residents to enrol in the insurance policy.