Dubai companies with 1,000 or more employees have until Friday to provide health insurance

Firms of this size have been told that they must provide health cover for staff before October 31 or face a fine under the first phase of the mandatory health insurance scheme roll-out.

DUBAI // All the companies with 1,000 or more employees that have not provided health insurance for their workers have until Friday to do so.

Companies that miss the deadline face a fine under the first phase of the mandatory health insurance scheme, which will affect about 700,000 Dubai employees, said Essa Al Maidoor, director general of the Dubai Health Authority.

“So far we are pleased with the results of the roll-out and are thankful to all those employers who have supported us by adhering to the deadline,” Dr Al Maidoor said.

“However, there are still some who have not yet met the deadline and we urge them to act promptly.”

He called the law, which came into effect in mid-February, a major milestone in ensuring access to health care.

“First and foremost, it provides everyone in Dubai – citizens, residents and visitors – with universal access to health care,” Dr Al Maidoor said.

“The implementation also helps contribute to building a robust health system that is flexible and financially sustainable.”

Dr Haider Al Yousuf, the director of health funding at the DHA, said 44 companies in Dubai had health insurance permits.

“They have witnessed substantial queries from phase one employers, as well as other employers requesting quotations for insurance packages that are compatible with the law for all of their employees,” Dr Al Yousuf said.

“We will soon begin to review the extent of compliance and those employers who are not insuring their workers could face fines.”

The law states companies are required only to cover the cost of health insurance for their employees, not the employees’ dependants. The cost of health coverage for the workers’ families will be borne by the worker.

But Dr Al Yousuf said the DHA urged companies to extend insurance schemes to workers’ families.

In phase two, companies with 100 to 999 employees will have until the end of July next year to comply. Companies with fewer than 100 workers have until the end of June 2016.

All spouses, dependants and domestic workers will also have to be covered by June 2016.

Employers can find information on the law at isahd.ae.