Insurance cover for Lankan maids in UAE
Sri Lankan housemaids coming to work in the UAE will now compulsorily
have a life and personal accident insurance cover under the latest
directives of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare
in Colombo.
The mandatory insurance cover, set to come into effect from August
15, is a bid to enhance protection and social security of the island
nation’s domestic servants abroad and would soon be extended to the
workers in other countries in the Gulf.
The local sponsor will have to pay a total premium of Dh200 while
signing the employment contract, which is usually valid for two years.
This cover is valid only for new contracts and would apply to existing
contracts only when they are renewed after mid-August.
S. A. Zain, Country Coordinator of the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign
Employment at the consulate in Dubai, told Khaleej Times: “This is an
additional insurance cover for workers as the existing one is not
adequate to protect them while they are working abroad and provide for
their families after their death. It will also take care of their
repatriation costs. It is a very useful cover for our migrant workers.”
The Sri Lankan ministry has signed an agreement with the Oman
Insurance Company to provide the insurance coverage in the UAE.
Though all workers travelling abroad to work now have an insurance
cover in accordance with the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion
and Welfare policy, officials cite this as inadequate especially in
cases of death and repatriation.
Assistant General Manager of Oman Insurance Usman Khadmi told Khaleej
Times, “This is a good move as it is very important to provide
protection to the migrant workers since they are coming here to work
hard for their families.
Oman Insurance would also cover the insured member in the event of
death, permanent or partial disability up to a maximum of Dh30,000 and
repatriation of the mortal remains with costs up to Dh10,000.
In case of an accident, the member will be paid Dh15,000 per annum
for medical expenses. If the member is being repatriated because of
harassment by the employer or if he/ she is medically unfit or in case
of default by the employer like liquidation or bankruptcy, the member
will be paid the cost of one-way ticket to Sri Lanka.
Khaleej Times |
