Surviving the latest cull

[grandesigner]

HI all

Well, I have survived the latest cull, though many colleagues didnt. Part of the deal, is a pay cut and stopping my health insurance. And the possibility of a few other nasties within the coming months.

My questions to the combined wisdom of the forum are A) Is an employer obliged to provide Health Insurance and B) If they are NOT, does any one know a good health scheme to cover me and my family. Pedriactic care is the foremost important item to cover as I have a 6 month old daughter.

THanks

[DesertStranded]

I thought employers were legally obligated to provide health insurance to employees under UAE law. I don't think that is something they can legally do. But again, the UAE always favors companies over workers no matter what the laws might state so I doubt there is anything you could do about it.

[flossie]

I am pretty sure Elphaba can help you with this. And, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they have to provide you with health cover. Send Elphaba a message. Good luck.

[Nickel]

Originally Posted by grandesigner

HI all

Well, I have survived the latest cull, though many colleagues didnt. Part of the deal, is a pay cut and stopping my health insurance. And the possibility of a few other nasties within the coming months.

My questions to the combined wisdom of the forum are A) Is an employer obliged to provide Health Insurance and B) If they are NOT, does any one know a good health scheme to cover me and my family. Pedriactic care is the foremost important item to cover as I have a 6 month old daughter.

THanks

Your company is mandated by the new "health coverage scheme" - started Jan 1st - to pay to the government for your basic healthcare. For now, in 2009, it is going to cover basically primary care - health visits, immunizations, basic xrays and labs. In the coming years (I think the target date for full implementation is 2012), additional services will be added on.

You need to "register" with a clinic (or maybe your company will be able to help you there). This is MANDATORY your company participates. They will not be able to renew their trade license if this is not in place.

In addition, your company may opt to also provide "top off" insurance, but this is NOT mandatory.

This is a very simplistic explanation. You can go to the DHA website under Health Regulation - it explains it.

Edited to add: Your company is not obligated, though, to provide your family with medical insurance. You will have to pay the DHA fee (supposedly around 800 Dhs/yr but it has not been announced yet). If your contract, though, states they will provide for your family, you stated they now took that away, correct? Are they amending the contract??? Seems like there are contractual issues here.

[grandesigner]

THanks guys. It will help my future discussions. JC

[Elphaba]

The Government edict is intended to provide for minimal cover for employees and is aimed more at blue collar workers. It will certainly not be a replacement for decent private cover. Apart from this employers do not have to provide medical cover.

grandesigner - PM me if you want info on medical insurance. I deal with this professionally.


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[Nickel]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

The Government edict is intended to provide for minimal cover for employees and is aimed more at blue collar workers. It will certainly not be a replacement for decent private cover. Apart from this employers do not have to provide medical cover.

grandesigner - PM me if you want info on medical insurance. I deal with this professionally.


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You are very correct!! The "coverage" is limited - and that is giving it the benefit of doubt!! The aim is to get the manual laborer workers some coverage. I know many larger corps who already cover their employees quite well are not very happy at paying the HBC!!!

As the world turns........