should we provide medical insurance to local employees if they already have Thiqa insurance?

Is your employee a UAE local person?

Dear R.,

Thank you for your inquiry.

As per the current regulations in the UAE, employers are not required to provide additional medical insurance for UAE nationals (locals) if they are already covered under the Thiqa health insurance program, which is the government-sponsored healthcare scheme for UAE citizens.

However, it is important to note that if your local employee is covered under Thiqa, the employer is not obligated to provide separate medical insurance, unless there is a specific company policy or agreement that stipulates otherwise.

For expatriate employees, medical insurance is a mandatory requirement as per the laws in most Emirates, such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Please feel free to reach out if you need any further clarification or assistance.

Kind regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Under UAE law, if the local employee is covered under the "Thiqa" insurance, it may not be necessary for the employer to provide additional health insurance.

However, you should ensure that the coverage meets all work-related requirements.

We recommend sharing more details for accurate advice. Our office specializes in such cases and can assist you in taking the necessary legal steps.

To clarify medical insurance requirements for employees with Thiqa coverage, it's important to recognize that Thiqa is a UAE health insurance program mainly for nationals, offering extensive coverage such as outpatient, inpatient services, and preventive care.

Generally, UAE labor law obligates employers to provide health insurance to their employees, regardless of existing coverage.

Therefore, having Thiqa does not exempt employers from offering additional insurance if mandated by local laws or company policies, as employer-provided insurance may cover benefits not fully included in Thiqa.

If the employee is a UAE national with Thiqa, additional coverage may not be strictly necessary, but if the employee is a non-national or has specific contractual requirements, the employer must comply.

In summary, employers typically must provide medical insurance even if an employee has Thiqa coverage.

Thank you for reaching out with your question regarding medical insurance requirements for local employees.

In the UAE, employers are generally required to provide medical insurance coverage to their employees as mandated by local laws.

However, for UAE nationals who are already covered under the Thiqa insurance program, this requirement may vary depending on the specific emirate and company policies.

While Thiqa provides comprehensive coverage, some employers may still opt to offer additional insurance as part of employee benefits. To determine your exact obligations, I recommend reviewing your employment contract terms and consulting relevant local regulations.

I’d be happy to assist you further in reviewing your case and ensuring compliance with UAE labor laws.

Please feel free to reach out to me via WhatsApp or phone at [------------] to discuss this matter in detail.

Best regards,

Suhail Rana

Dear Client,

Thanks for your question! I hope you are doing well. I will assist you in this matter.

Employers in the UAE are required to provide health insurance for their employees, but if a local employee is already covered under the Thiqa program, additional insurance may not be necessary.

The Thiqa program typically fulfills the employer's legal obligations regarding health insurance for UAE nationals. It's advisable to review the employment contract and consult with us to ensure compliance with current regulations.

Thanks & Regards,

ABDUL WAHIED