Team Blitz India
A NEW insurance scheme for Indian workers has been announced in the UAE, ensuring that their families will get compensation of up to Dh75,000 in case of the employee’s death, be it due to accidents or natural causes.
Called the Life Protection Plan (LPP), the scheme came into force on March 1, the Indian Consulate in Dubai said on March 5.
With approximately 3.5 million Indians residing in the UAE, constituting around 65 per cent of whom are bluecollar workers, this group forms one of the largest contingents of migrant workers in the country. Concerns over the lack of insurance coverage for natural deaths have been mounting.
While many companies provide health insurance and compensation for work-related injuries and deaths, no compulsory coverage is provided in case of employees’ natural deaths. This means many workers’ families could be left in the lurch — with no funds for repatriation costs — in case their breadwinner dies.
To address this issue, the Indian consulate facilitated a meeting between major UAE companies recruiting blue-collar workers and two insurance service providers. The insurance plan is offered at annual premiums ranging from Dh37 to Dh72 for individuals aged 18 to 70.
In case a worker dies due to an accident or natural causes, beneficiaries can get compensation that ranges from Dh35,000 to Dh75,000, depending on the selected premium.
The plan also provides Dh12,000 coverage for the repatriation of the insured employee’s remains.
Two insurance companies worked on a package specifically for blue-collar workers, and then the terms and conditions were negotiated with the recruitment companies.
Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan emphasized the significance of this initiative in ensuring the financial security of Indian workers and their families. By extending coverage to natural deaths, the LPP aims to alleviate concerns and provide peace of mind to the Indian community in the UAE.
