A number of people lined up outside money exchange establishments to get their coverage as the deadline for enrolling in the UAE's obligatory job loss insurance program drew near. Long lines were observed at Al Ansari Exchange House, which provides insurance scheme registration, in the Rolla district of Sharjah.
Long Queues at Exchange Houses
Many exchange houses across the country reported similar scenes, with lines so extensive that some individuals were unable to complete their registration process.
After registering at Al Ansari Exchange in Al Nahda, Bilal Ahmed, a cleaner from Sharjah, expressed relief. Since he believed the deadline was at the end of October, he stood in line to enroll in the Involuntary Loss of Employment Insurance for about an hour. With his membership complete, Bilal told his friends and coworkers about the initiative and encouraged them to join.
A Cost-Effective Safety Net
The job loss insurance scheme provides a cost-effective means for employees to receive financial support in the event of job loss for a specified period.
Fines for Missed Deadline
Those who fail to register for the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) scheme starting on October 1 will face a fine of Dh400. It's important to note that authorities have consistently reminded individuals that it is their responsibility, not their employers', to obtain this insurance.
Khalil, an expatriate worker from Pakistan, discovered the deadline for registration at 4 p.m. on September 30. He mentioned that the month-end is typically a busy time for him due to maintenance work, and he and his colleague decided to register online after work. However, they encountered challenges with online transactions and rushed to exchange centers in Sharjah.
Persistence pays off
After facing crowded conditions at various locations, they eventually registered at Sharjah City Centre after waiting for approximately 45 minutes.
