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For those who have been employed by any organization that’s based on mainland Dubai, they are to follow the provisions set up by Federal Law no. (8) of 1980 regulating Employment Relations in the UAE( Employment Law ), and thereby they will be applicable for subsequent ministerial orders. It is the employer’s duty to provide health insurance for their employees in Dubai. This is in direct accordance with Article 10 of Dubai Health Insurance Law.

According to the Law, the employer is bound to abide by the following rules –

- To provide health insurance coverage to their employees, along with the designated health insurance policy.

- To bear the expenses for their health insurance coverage and lessen the financial pressure on their beneficiaries.

- Always verify the validation of the health insurance policy of the employees till their work period.

- The employer also has to pay the expenses regarding the health services and medical intervention costs at times of emergency. This is for those employees who are without any health insurance with the provisions of this law.

- They should provide their employees with health insurance cards.

- If the employee is undergoing a residence issuance or renewal, the employer must provide them with a health insurance policy.

- If the authority makes any other resolution following the issues, they should be obliged by the employer.

In accordance, Article 96 of the Employment Law states that the employer is bound to provide their employees with any source of medical care.

Based on these provisions, the employer must provide health insurance in Dubai to their employee during their entire work period. Article 23 of the Dubai Health Insurance Law states that for employers failing to provide health insurance to their employees, the concerned authority or the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will impose penalties on them. The penalties range from Dh500 to Dh150,000. For those employers who repeatedly violate the law, they should pay a penalty of Dh500,000.

The employee can also request their employer to bear the medical services incurred when undergoing angioplasty, which includes medications and check-ups. The employee can again ask the employer to provide them with valid health insurance for further medical assistance.

Those employers refusing to provide valid health insurance to their employees and failing to reimburse their medical expenses might face charges against the law. The employee will have the option to approach the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization and the DHA to lodge a complaint against their employer.

Get to know the law

If the employer refuses to provide health insurance, the concerned authority or the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will have the option to impose fines that range from Dh500 to Dh150,000.