Khaleej Times, Sunday, Jan 29, 2023 | Rajab 7, 1444
Health insurance in Dubai: Should the employer bear staff's premium costs?
Emirates:
Question: I will be taking up a job in a mainland Dubai company
shortly. I understand I will be working on a standard two-year visa. Please
clarify who is to bear the costs of medical insurance for myself and my family.
Response: Pursuant to your queries, the provisions of Federal Decree
Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Employment Relations (the ‘Employment
Law’) and those of Law No. 11 of 2013 Concerning Health Insurance in the Emirate
of Dubai (the 'Dubai Health Insurance Law') are applicable.
In the UAE, an employer is obligated to provide health insurance to its
employees. This is in accordance with Article 13 (8) and (9) of the Employment
Law, which states, "The Employer shall:
(8) Bear healthcare costs in accordance with the legislation in force in the
UAE.
(9) Bear the costs of insurances, contributions and securities specified by the
legislation in force."
Further, the Dubai Health Insurance Law stipulates the obligations of the
employer. Article 10 of the Dubai Health Insurance Law states: “The employer
shall be obliged of the following:
1. Cover the employees thereof by health insurance in accordance with
the health insurance policy applicable thereby, providing to comply with the
provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued pursuant thereto.
2. Bear the costs for such health insurance coverage rather than making
the beneficiaries bear such costs.
3. Verify that the health insurance of the employees thereof is valid
for the length of their work period at the employer.
4. Bear the health services and medical intervention costs in
emergencies for any of the employees thereof if any of them has no health
insurance in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
5. Give the employees thereof the health insurance card.
6. Provide the health insurance policy upon the residence issuance or
renewal of the employees thereof.
7. Any other obligations specified by the Authority pursuant to the
resolutions issued thereby in such concern.”
Based on the aforementioned provisions of law, your employer is obligated to
bear the costs of your medical insurance. However, if your family members’ visas
are sponsored by you, then you are obligated to bear the cost of their medical
health insurance. This is in accordance with Article 11 of the Dubai Health
Insurance Law.
In the UAE, certain employers provide medical insurance facilities to the family
members of the employees. Therefore, you may check with your prospective
employer about this.