In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, the UAE announced on Monday that private sector employees and domestic workers will be covered under a mandatory health insurance scheme starting from January 1, 2025. This decision mandates employers to bear the cost of health coverage for their registered workers during the issuance or renewal of residency permits.
The initiative, approved by the UAE Cabinet, extends the scope of mandatory health insurance beyond Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where similar regulations already exist. In these emirates, employers are obliged to provide health insurance for their employees, with Abu Dhabi’s scheme also covering their families.
The nationwide implementation aims to ensure that the extensive private sector workforce in the UAE has access to quality healthcare. To facilitate the rollout, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) will conduct awareness campaigns and programs.
This marks the second mandatory insurance scheme introduced for employees in the UAE, following last year’s requirement for a job loss protection scheme. Presently, over 7.2 million employees from both private and federal government sectors are enrolled in the latter scheme, providing crucial protection for workers’ wages and rights in cases of employer bankruptcy.
During the Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, it was highlighted that 98.8% of the country’s workforce is already covered under the Workers’ Protection Programme. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of ensuring labor market stability and competitiveness by addressing worker concerns and safeguarding their rights.
Alongside the healthcare announcement, the Cabinet also approved extending the validity period of Emirati passports from five to 10 years for citizens aged 21 and above, further streamlining administrative processes for citizens.
Additionally, the Digital Wellbeing Council’s efforts were acknowledged, having shut down over 160,000 websites and social media accounts promoting substance abuse among youths. The council also blocked thousands of illicit websites involved in scams and unauthorized promotions.
Sheikh Mohammed underscored the pivotal role of families in protecting children, emphasizing cooperation among families, media, and schools in nurturing awareness among the youth, who represent the nation’s most valuable asset.
The dual focus on healthcare accessibility and digital wellbeing underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering a safe, healthy, and empowered society.
