Compulsory Insurance Scheme for Migrant Sri Lankan Workers in United Arab Emirates

DUBAI - A new mandatory insurance scheme proposed by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) for all Sri Lankan migrant workers will be enforced in the UAE with effect from November 15. The scheme will also be enforced in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat and Qatar in about two to three weeks after it comes into effect in the UAE.

This was announced by Lalith Hettiarachchi, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UAE, and Bandula Somasiri, Sri Lankan Consul-General in Dubai, at a Press conference yesterday.

Under the new scheme, all prospective employers/sponsors intending to employ Sri Lankans will have to obtain the insurance policy for the employee prior to submission of the employment contract to the Sri Lankan mission in the UAE.

Every employer or recruitment agent will also have to submit a copy of the insurance certificate along with the employment contract to the SLBFE in Colombo to seek 'final approval' for an employee.

Explaining the scheme, Mr Hettiarachchi said: "The premium will be $31 per annum, payable for two years in advance.

"The insurance scheme will be valid for a period of two years from the date of issue on a 24-hour basis and will offer a worldwide coverage."

The benefits of this scheme include a cover of $5,000 against normal or an accidental death of an employee in the country of employment or anywhere in the world within the insurance period.

In addition, the policy offers a cover of $5,000 for permanent and total disability caused by an accident, $5,000 permanent and partial disability (accident), $2,000 for medical expenses (accident) per annum, $2,000 as repatriation expenses of mortal remains, and a scholarship of a maximum of $1,000 to one child of the deceased until he/she completes primary education.

Mr Hettiarachchi said that the new scheme was in addition to the registration fee imposed by the SLBFE on Sri Lankans leaving Colombo for employment overseas.

"The registration fee is payable by the worker. The scheme offers several benefits, including life insurance and medical cover, the scheme is designed to benefit the employee even under normal circumstances."

Speaking to the Press over telephone from Colombo, Susantha Fernando, Chairman of SLBFE, said: "The bureau and the Sri Lankan missions in respective Gulf countries have already informed prospective employers, as well as recruiting agents about the new scheme to be enforced from November 15.

"The scheme was initiated by the Sri Lankan minister of labour and foreign employment, who felt that the Sri Lankans working overseas, particularly in the Gulf, should be covered and protected by an insurance policy in their country of employment. The uniqueness of the policy is settlement of compensation by the insurance company directly to the SLBFE in Colombo within a period of three to four working days after the claim papers are verified and submitted by the Sri Lankan missions."

He emphasised that the new scheme was an additional requirement, to be fulfilled by the employer, and in the long run it would prove beneficial and convenient for those, who are otherwise chased by employees and their relatives for compensations.

Mr Fernando clarified that the registration fee, enforced by the SLBFE in 1995 on Sri Lankan migrant workers, was inadequate and, therefore, the new insurance scheme which is more practical and progressive, was being enforced.