UAE sets new deadline for unemployment insurance scheme sign-up

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has extended the deadline for subscribing to the unemployment insurance scheme from July 1 to October 1.

The ministry said the new date will give UAE nationals and residents more time to sign-up for the scheme.

A fine of AED 400 awaits those who don't meet the deadline, the ministry reminded.

Those eligible for the insurance can subscribe via multiple channels provided, including the website, insurance pool smart app (iloe), Kiosk machines, business service centres and money exchange houses, banks smart applications, SMS and telecom companies’ bills.

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The insurance is divided into two categories – the first covering those with a basic salary of AED 16,000 and less. The insurance premium for the insured employee in this category is set at AED 5 per month (AED 60 annually), and monthly compensation is capped at AED 10,000 per month. The second category includes those with a basic salary exceeding AED 16,000, and the insurance premium is AED 10 per month (AED 120 annually) with a monthly compensation of up to AED 20,000.

The insurance compensation can be claimed as long as the insurer (employee) has been subscribed to the Unemployment Insurance Scheme for at least 12 consecutive months. The claim can be submitted within 30 days of job loss, and will be processed within two weeks of submission. The insured’s right to compensation is forfeited in the event that he/she cancels their residency and leaves the country, or joins a new job, within the processing period.

The compensation is calculated at the rate of 60 per cent of the average basic salary in the last six months before unemployment, and paid for a maximum of three months for each claim from the date of unemployment.

Those exempted from subscribing include investors, owners of facilities in which they work, domestic helpers, employees with a temporary employment contract, juveniles under 18 years of age, and retirees who receive a retirement pension and have joined a new job.