[Kuwait] Mandatory expat insurance fees set at KD500

[Kuwait] Mandatory expat insurance fees set at KD500
04 Feb 2022

Following months of debate, a Kuwaiti health insurance committee has set the annual fees for the service - mandatory for expatriates over 60 who are renewing their work permits in the country - at KD500 per person, Gulf News reports.

Earlier this week, Kuwait finally allowed expatriates above 60 who hold no university degree to apply for the renewal of their work permits under new rules that have ended a months-long ban on their employment.

As conditions for work permit renewal, the new system obliges this category of expatriates to pay an annual fee of KD250 per person and get comprehensive health insurance.

According to local media reporting, the Higher Committee for Insurance Regulation has specified the annual health insurance cost at KD500 per worker, plus 3.5 dinars in administrative fees.

The document makes the holder eligible to receive annual medical services costing up to KD10,000, including KD500 for dental care.

Last week, the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) board headed by the recently appointed Justice Minister Jamal Al Jallawi approved the new system, finally bringing the disputed ban on employment of the expats over 60 to an end.

Spouses and children of Kuwaiti citizens and Palestinian holders of travel documents are exempted.

In October 2021, the Kuwaiti Legal Advice and Legislation Department invalidated the ban, saying it had no legal basis.

The Cabinet-linked department said the ban had been issued by PAM director-general without authorisation.

The ban, which went into effect earlier last year, triggered an outcry among rights activists, who argued that it affected thousands of expatriates and their families who were long-term residents in Kuwait.

According to recent reporting by Al Qabas newspaper, around 4,013 such expatriates were forced out of the work market in Kuwait in the first six months of enforcing the ban.

In addition, critics said the restriction harmed many employers and destabilised the labour market in Kuwait by robbing it of experienced workers.


Source: Gulf News

Following months of debate, a Kuwaiti health insurance committee has set the annual fees for the service - mandatory for expatriates over 60 who are renewing their work permits in the country - at KD500 per person, Gulf News reports.

Earlier this week, Kuwait finally allowed expatriates above 60 who hold no university degree to apply for the renewal of their work permits under new rules that have ended a months-long ban on their employment.

As conditions for work permit renewal, the new system obliges this category of expatriates to pay an annual fee of KD250 per person and get comprehensive health insurance.

According to local media reporting, the Higher Committee for Insurance Regulation has specified the annual health insurance cost at KD500 per worker, plus 3.5 dinars in administrative fees.

The document makes the holder eligible to receive annual medical services costing up to KD10,000, including KD500 for dental care.

Last week, the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) board headed by the recently appointed Justice Minister Jamal Al Jallawi approved the new system, finally bringing the disputed ban on employment of the expats over 60 to an end.

Spouses and children of Kuwaiti citizens and Palestinian holders of travel documents are exempted.

In October 2021, the Kuwaiti Legal Advice and Legislation Department invalidated the ban, saying it had no legal basis.

The Cabinet-linked department said the ban had been issued by PAM director-general without authorisation.

The ban, which went into effect earlier last year, triggered an outcry among rights activists, who argued that it affected thousands of expatriates and their families who were long-term residents in Kuwait.

According to recent reporting by Al Qabas newspaper, around 4,013 such expatriates were forced out of the work market in Kuwait in the first six months of enforcing the ban.

In addition, critics said the restriction harmed many employers and destabilised the labour market in Kuwait by robbing it of experienced workers.


Source: Gulf News

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