By the end of this month, there is no excuse for any employer or sponsor not to have those in their charge insured. Come June 30, employers will rightly face a fine of Dh500 per day per employee for failing to provide basic health insurance. This penalty should be a sufficient deterrent for sponsors to ensure that they comply with the provisions of health insurance law No 11 of 2013.
This same piece of legislation opens a new chapter in health-care insurance, with everyone who lives in Dubai now covered — as long as employers and sponsors act under the terms of their legal obligations. Make no mistake, there must be no allowances made and there can be no excuses for sponsors for failing to insure all who work for them. The law sets out reasonable rates of insurance, offering annual premiums between Dh565 and Dh650 for all with a salary under Dh4,000. This same law also stipulates the coverage costs, setting maximum payable ceilings for the insured. With visits to doctors costing just 20 per cent of the actual costs, and with a limit of Dh150,000 in place, the rules are clear.
All too often, workers have been left uninsured, unable to pay for the costs of even basic medical treatment and left with bills from hospitals that they simply cannot afford to pay, relying on the charity and benevolence of others to cover such costs. This scheme is transparent, clearly setting out what’s covered; to what amount; and clearly defines the cost for those who take the legal responsibility of employing workers and ensuring their well-being. This is not a new tax or service charge. It’s simply the cost of doing business.
