- Employers will be required to cover their registered workers' health coverage during residency permit issuing or renewal.
- The scheme will ensure quality healthcare access for the country's substantial private sector workforce.
- Over 7.2 million employees from private and federal government sectors have registered in the scheme.
The UAE Cabinet approved the scheme for private sector employees and domestic workers who do not have existing coverage. Employers will need to bear the cost of coverage for domestic workers.
Currently, laws in Abu Dhabi and Dubai mandate employers to obtain health insurance for their employees. In the UAE Capital, the mandatory scheme includes coverage for employees and their families.
The new UAE-wide scheme will guarantee that the country's substantial private sector workforce can access quality healthcare. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will spearhead relevant awareness campaigns and programs to execute the scheme.
Last year, the UAE mandated employees to subscribe to a scheme protecting them from job loss. To date, more than 7.2 million employees from private and federal government sectors have registered in the scheme.
While chairing the Cabinet meeting, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, pointed out that 98.8 percent of the workforce in the country is covered under the Workers' Protection Programme. The scheme ensures the protection of workers’ wages and other dues in case their employers declare bankruptcy.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, we approved a new structure for the MoHRE, including establishing a coordinating council for the labor market in the UAE, to maintain its stability and enhance its competitiveness. The workforce is the real engine of the economy, and monitoring their concerns and protecting their rights are essential elements for advancing our national economy.”
Meanwhile, the UAE has approved extending the validity period of the Emirati passport from five to 10 years for Emiratis aged 21 and above.
The Cabinet also heard that the Digital Wellbeing Council closed down over 160,000 websites and social media accounts that targeted the youth by promoting substance abuse.
Furthermore, the council blocked more than 2,700 websites that promoted illicit activities such as online scams, phishing, and unauthorized product promotions, among others.
Sheikh Mohammed stressed that the family serves as the strongest defense for the UAE’s children. It is crucial to instill awareness in new generations. “We emphasize the importance of cooperation among families, media, and schools to safeguard our children, who are the most valuable asset of our nation.”
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