The Life Protection Insurance plan, which was launched on March 1 last year, by the Consulate of India in Dubai, has now expanded to provide more benefits to Indian blue-collar workers.

Two more companies – Dubai National Insurance (DNI) and Nexus Insurance Brokers – have joined the initiative to provide an affordable package to blue-collar workers from India whose demand had gone up by 25% in the UAE from the period starting May 2023 to April 2024.

The new scheme would ensure that families of the workers are provided financial support, in the event of natural or accidental death of the employee, with a coverage of Dh35,000 for a premium of Dh32. The plan also includes coverage of the repatriation of mortal remains, which most of the time is a challenge when untoward incidents occur.

Electricians, plumbers, carpenters and technicians, who are employed in sectors including real estate, healthcare, hospitality, technology and the rest, are sought after for their various skills. Though their role is critical to the growth of a country, they are deprived of privileges that academically qualified professionals enjoy. Hence, an insurance scheme that promises to provide monetary support becomes vital.

Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, said that the nominal premium insurance policy gave “very critical support to the families of laborers who unfortunately pass away, covering the natural death scenarios, covering deaths which happen not just in the UAE, not just when they are at work, but also wherever they are in the world; it also covers partial and full disability… Dubai National Insurance has come to us with another proposal, which is Dh32 for a coverage of 35,000. The consulate is just the catalyst; we want our workers to benefit from it. Also, now (in this insurance cover) up to Dh12,000 is given for transporting mortal remains; earlier, it was Dh10,000.”

The scheme took off well last year owing to many companies providing insurance coverage for their employees that covered work-related injuries and deaths as well. But the lack of insurance policy for natural deaths left legal heirs and dependents of the deceased employees with no compensation for the loss.

“So, we encourage employers to look at this proposal positively because it will benefit your members, and it’s quite a competitive cost that’s being offered,” added Sivan. – editor@nrifocus.com