(DVC link added in red font below…)

Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana / Insurance policy for Indian expats in Oman, 29 May 2025, 9-10 AM

All are welcome to the following online meeting:

FROM	Embassy of India, Muscat
DATE	29 May 2025
TIME	0900 Hrs Oman Time
AGENDA	Mitigating challenges faced by Indian Expat workers in Oman.
PARTICIPANTS / INVITEES:	All stakeholders including 1) Indian Expat workers 2) Omani Employers / Sponsors 3) Indian community members 4) Indian Social workers 5) Ministries (of Labour, External Affairs) 6) Indian and Omani Embassies 7) Labour lawyers
RSVP	Kindly rsvp here to join in the DVC. (Note: Above needs login; new users may sign-up in few seconds with just three details, viz., login email / mobile; self-created password, and, Name.)
DVC LINK	Embassy of India, Muscat : DVC 29th May, 2025 Meeting number: 23618969136 Meeting link: https://eoimct.webex.com/eoimct/j.php?MTID=m51e666c4da0acb07590767333a58eb66 Meeting password: 4EcJi4fHHE8 Join from a video system or application: 23618969136@eoimct.webex.com You can also dial 62.109.219.4 and enter your meeting number. Meeting password for video system: 43254434
SCHEDULE, AGENDA, DVC DOCUMENTS	0900 Hrs: Welcome remarks from Amb G V Srinivas 0905: Hrs: Keynote by Deputy Chief of Mission Tavishi Behal Pandey 0915 Hrs: Supplementary remarks by Second Secretary Anoop Bijily 0925 Hrs: Draft Insurance policy from New India Assurance Co. Ltd. 0935 Hrs: Comments and observations from the participants 1000 Hrs End
RESTRICTED INPUTS	Such inputs, if any, may kindly be emailed to amb.muscat@mea.gov.in ensuring the subject header has the word ‘Sensitive/ For MEA GOI Eyes only/ for: insurance/ pbby’. These inputs would be kept for internal reference and not circulated.
LANGUAGE	English, Hindi, regional languages (like Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil).
DVC FORMAT:	-Keep your mic muted as others speak. -Raise your hand and wait till invited -Unmute your mic as you begin speaking
FORWARD:	This DVC info/invite may be forwarded to all concerned.
BACKGROUND NOTE	The note below is collation from open sources and thus not an authoritative brief from the Embassy. The objective of including is to set the agenda for discussion / clarification / way forward.

Report on the Indian blue collared and female domestic workers

The Indian community is the second-largest in the Sultanate of Oman, after the Bangladeshi community, total of approx. 660,299 Indian nationals is residing in Oman, including 506,902 males and 153,397 females, according to official data shared by the Government of Oman as on 21 Jan 2025. Out of this, 507, 695 are employed in the private sector, while 7,393 Indians (2,279 males and 5,114 females) are working in the public sector.

2. Labours:

· A large number of Indian nationals in Oman work as blue-collar workers, such as construction labourers, factory workers, and domestic workers. Many of them hold ECR (Emigration Check Required) passports and have entered Oman through informal or illegal routes, bypassing the e-Migrate system. This makes them highly vulnerable to exploitation, fraud, and abuse.

· Common irregular practices include using unregistered agents, entering on tourist visas instead of proper employment visas, using forged documents, or traveling via third countries in the Gulf. In some cases, workers get visas directly from employers and travel without emigration clearance, insurance, employment contracts, or any orientation. This exposes them to serious risks like non-payment of wages, detention, deportation, and lack of legal support. Some ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport holders are also found working in blue-collar jobs in Oman under similar vulnerable conditions.

3. Female domestic worker:

A common method used by unscrupulous agents involves female domestic workers entering Oman on tourist visas, finding employment, and then leaving the country by land to the UAE to re-enter on an employment visa. It is pertinent to mention that after the tireless efforts of the Mission, the local authorities in Oman stopped the direct conversion of visit visas to employment visas on 31.10.2023.

However, agents have found alternative ways to bypass the system. As a result, the number of housemaids recruited through the eMigrate system has not increased since the ban on visa conversion. Employers in Oman are also reluctant to recruit through eMigrate, as the process requires a bank guarantee of OMR 1100 and a minimum monthly salary of OMR 1000, conditions that many employers consider too high..

4. Insurance protection for ECR category passport Holders in Oman:

4.1 With a growing number of Indian blue-collared workers migrating to Oman, New India Assurance, in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Oman, launched the COMPASS insurance policy in 2008. This insurance product was specifically designed to protect the interests of Indian nationals employed in roles such as domestic workers, housemaids, and gardeners. The COMPASS policy was later enhanced and offered in Silver, Gold, and Platinum variants, providing broader coverage, including litigation expenses upto OMR 100 under higher tier plans. Following the launch of the eMigrate portal in 2014, the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) became mandatory for all ECR passport holders traveling abroad for employment. During this time, COMPASS was often issued in conjunction with PBBY, offering a dual-layered protection mechanism. Details of PBBY are enclosed in Annexure A.

4.2 Post the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the implementation of the DHAMANI insurance policy by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman in 2023, the number of Indian workers availing COMPASS insurance coverage reduced significantly. The mandatory health insurance requirements under the new regulatory framework contributed to this transition.

4.3 As per updated local labour regulations, DHAMANI insurance was made compulsory for all domestic workers in Oman starting in 2023. This policy provides coverage of OMR 3,000 over a two-year period, addressing essential medical needs, and has now become the standard coverage for all domestic workers, including new entrants from the ECR category. However several employers are reluctant to provide Dhamani insurance because the law is not enforced/monitored strictly. Details of Dhamani insurance is enclosed in Annexure B.

4.4 Notably, if the worker is not covered by an insurance scheme and if the worker is treated in a government or private hospital, the employer shall bear the expenses of treatment, medication, and hospital stay in accordance with the financial regulations and systems in force in those hospitals (As per article 57 of local labour law).

5. The step-by-step procedure under the e-Migrate system includes:

5.1 Verification of key documents such as passport, employment visa, work contract, medical certificate, photograph, and insurance under the Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY).

5.2 Registration of the Recruiting Agent (RA) or Foreign Employer (FE) on the e- Migrate portal.

5.3 Attestation of the visa copy by the Indian Embassy/Consulate and its upload on the e-Migrate portal shall be done by the Foreign Employer (FE) in the case of direct recruitment. In the case of recruitment through a Recruiting Agent (RA), the Embassy is not involved except for the registration of the Foreign Employer (FE), and all mandatory documents shall be uploaded by the RA.

5.4 Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) to inform workers about their rights and working conditions in the destination country.

5.5 Medical testing at MEA-approved clinics and mandatory insurance coverage under PBBY.

5.6 Emigration clearance issued online by the Protector of Emigrants (POE).

5.7 Final checks at the airport immigration to ensure the worker has valid clearance and all necessary documents.

5.8 Post-departure support from Indian Missions and access to grievance redressal through the e-Migrate portal.

6. Issues Embassy encounters on regular basis:

6.1 Non-payment of salaries

6.2 Poor or inadequate food and accommodation

6.3 Lack of food and accommodation during disputes

6.4 Non-payment of medical expenses

6.5 Medical costs incurred during absconding cases or labour disputes

6.6 Transfer of mortal remains

6.7 Denial or delay in end-of-service benefits

6.8 Compensation issues in case of occupational death

6.9 Excessive workload beyond standard 8-hour shifts

6.10 Confiscation of passports by sponsors or agents

Annexure ‘A’ / PBBY (Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana)

The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is an insurance scheme aimed at safeguarding the interests of Indian emigrant workers, especially those falling under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category and going for overseas employment to ECR countries. The insurance is available for all those who are seeking employment abroad.

2. The scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakhs in case of accidental death/permanent disability at an insurance premium of Rs. 275 and Rs. 375 for a period of two and three years respectively. PBBY, 2017 also includes global insurance coverage irrespective of employer and location, has facility for online renewal and a simplified process for certification of accidental death/permanent disability. The scheme is now more beneficial for emigrant workers and is aimed at ensuring an expeditious settlement of claims.

3. Salient features of PBBY, 2017 are as follows :

· The Insured person shall be covered for a sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs in the event of accidental death or permanent disability leading to loss of employment while in employment abroad, irrespective of change of employer/location of insured person.

· Certification of accidental death or permanent disability by Indian Missions and Posts abroad shall be accepted by the insurance companies.

· Medical insurance cover including injuries / sickness / ailment / diseases available upto Rs.1,00,000/- (up to Rs. 50,000 per hospitalization).

· Repatriation cover for medically unfit/premature termination of employment: Actual one-way economy class air fare to the nearest international airport in India.

· Family Hospitalization in India available upto Rs. 50,000/- for Spouse and first two children upto 21 years of age.

· Maternity expenses benefit to women emigrants available upto Rs. 50,000/-.

· Reimbursement of return economy class air fare to the nearest international airport to one attendant in case of emigrant’s accidental death or permanent disability.

· Legal expenses on litigation related to emigrant’s overseas employment admissible upto Rs. 45,000/-.

· Provision for on-line renewal of PBBY policy.

4. There are 10 Insurance agencies that have been authorized by the Ministry of External Affairs to sell PBBY policy. The PBBY policy can be purchased either through the E-migrate portal ( via https://emigrate.gov.in/#/emigrate/emigrant/registration/self) or directly approaching the Insurance Agencies. Currently, the policy has to be purchased in India before proceeding for employment abroad.

SN	Name of the Agency	Online Integration status for purchase of PBBY policy	Remarks
1	Iffco Tokio General Insurance Company Limited	Integrated
2	The New India Assurance Company Limited	Integrated
3	The Oriental insurance Company Limited	Integrated
4	Reliance General Insurance Company Limited	No
5	Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited	No
6	National Insurance Company Limited	No
7	United India Insurance Company Limited	No
8	Bajaj Allianz general insurance Company Limited	No	These Insurance Agencies are not integrated with eMigrate for online policy validation. Hence, policies purchased from these Agencies cannot be validated in eMigrate with eMigrate system.
9	The ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited	No	These Insurance Agencies are not integrated with eMigrate for online policy validation. Hence, policies purchased from these Agencies cannot be validated in eMigrate with eMigrate system.
10	Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited	No	These Insurance Agencies are not integrated with eMigrate for online policy validation. Hence, policies purchased from these Agencies cannot be validated in eMigrate with eMigrate system.

It may be noted that while it is mandatory for ECR passport holders traveling to ECR countries to subscribe to PBBY policy (through emigrate portal only) before seeking emigration clearance, the ECNR passport holders can purchase the PBBY policy directly through the enlisted Insurance agencies even while they are working in Oman.

Sources:

i) https://www.mea.gov.in/pbby.htm https://www.policybazaar.com/health-insurance/govt-scheme/pravasi-bharatiya-bima-yojana/

ii) https://emigrate.gov.in/#/emigrate

Annexure ‘B’ / Health Insurance in the Sultanate of Oman

Health insurance in the Sultanate of Oman is an important system that provides financial coverage for healthcare expenses and offers a variety of options and services to meet the needs of individuals and families. Health insurance in Oman is available to all age groups and covers a variety of medical services, including hospitalization, clinics, outpatient clinics, dental and eye care, as well as accident and death coverage.

1. Overview of the Health Insurance System in the Sultanate of Oman:

1.1 Necessity: Health insurance in the Sultanate of Oman has become mandatory for residents, who are required to obtain a minimum level of medical coverage according to the law.

1.2 Types: Health insurance varies in the Sultanate of Oman, including health insurance for individuals and families, group health insurance for employees, and other types such as work-related injury and personal accident insurance.

1.3 Benefits: Health insurance offers a range of benefits, including coverage for medical expenses, access to a wide network of hospitals and clinics, coverage for chronic diseases and emergencies, and additional benefits such as maternity, dental, and eye care.

1.4 Companies: Several insurance companies in the Sultanate of Oman offer health insurance services, including Cigna, Oman GIG Gulf, Liva Insurance, and Bank Dhofar.

1.5. National Health Insurance Platform: The National Health Insurance Platform, "Dhamani," was launched to facilitate health insurance procedures and provide information about available services and companies.

2. The Importance of Health Insurance in the Sultanate of Oman:

2.1 Financial Coverage: Health insurance provides financial protection for individuals and families in the event of medical care needs, reducing the financial burden that may arise from treatment costs.

2.2 Access to Healthcare: Health insurance provides access to high-quality healthcare services, including hospitals, clinics, and specialized doctors.

2.3 Disease Prevention: Health insurance can help prevent illness by covering regular checkups and early detection of diseases, which helps improve overall health.

2.4 Improving Quality of Life: Health insurance helps improve the quality of life for individuals and families by providing financial and social support in times of need.

3. The Impact of Health Insurance on Society:

3.1 Improving Public Health: Health insurance improves public health in the community by providing comprehensive healthcare and preventive services.

3.2 Increasing Productivity: By providing healthcare to employees, health insurance helps increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

3.3 Supporting the Economy: Health insurance contributes to supporting the national economy by providing healthcare to citizens and residents, reducing treatment costs that could impact the economy.

3.4 The National Insurance Platform, "Dhamani”

It is an integrated national electronic platform that aims to facilitate the exchange of health insurance-related data and claims between insurance companies and private healthcare institutions. "Dhamani" is also the cornerstone of providing a unified medical record for policyholders, available upon visiting any of the private healthcare institutions linked to the platform.

4. Platform Objectives:

4.1 Facilitating Data Exchange: The platform aims to simplify and accelerate the exchange of data and information between insurance companies and private healthcare institutions, reducing administrative burdens and speeding up the settlement and claims process.

4.2 Providing a Unified Medical Record: The platform provides a unified medical record for each policyholder, ensuring easy access to their medical information at any private healthcare institution linked to the platform.

4.3 Promoting Insurance Inclusiveness: The platform helps achieve insurance inclusiveness by facilitating citizens' access to healthcare services.

4.4 Developing the Health Insurance Market: The platform contributes to the development of the Omani health insurance market by leveraging digital transformation to regulate this vital sector.

5. Platform Components:

5.1 Connecting Healthcare Institutions with Insurance Companies: The platform connects private healthcare institutions with insurance companies and claims management companies, ensuring a smooth process for claims and settlements.

5.2 Legislative and Regulatory Bodies: The platform is linked to legislative and regulatory bodies, ensuring transparency and accountability in the health insurance process.

5.3 Beneficiaries (Citizens and Residents): Beneficiaries can access the platform's services through an electronic platform or mobile application, ensuring ease of use.

6. Benefits of the Platform:

6.1 Saving Time and Effort: The platform reduces administrative burdens and reduces the time spent on claims and settlements.

6.2 Increasing Efficiency: The platform increases the efficiency of the health insurance process by providing a reliable digital system.

6.3 Improving Service Quality: The platform contributes to improving the quality of health services by providing accurate and timely information to health institutions.

6.4 Enhancing Trust: The platform increases public confidence in the health insurance system by providing a transparent and reliable digital system.

7. Information for the first quarter of 2025:

· The platform is now technically and legislatively ready and is now offering its digital services to regulate the Omani health insurance market.

· All insurance institutions are connected to the Dhamani platform, along with 33 private hospitals, representing all private hospitals licensed by the Ministry of Health. The number of health complexes connected to the platform has reached three private health complexes so far.

· The platform has proven its digital efficiency and effectiveness during its pilot phase, with the number of health insurance transactions completed through it by insurance companies and private health institutions reaching nearly three million transactions during the first quarter of 2025.

· The Dhamani platform represents a qualitative shift in the development of the Omani health insurance market by employing digital transformation to regulate this vital sector.

· A small fee will be imposed on hospitals to finance the development of the platform and cover its construction costs, which amounted to 1.6 million Omani riyals.

· The platform provides services to more than 650,000 health insurance policyholders, with an average data and information exchange rate of up to 40,000 transactions per day.

Draft Policy Paper from New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (For Discussion Purpose Only)

1. Background and Rationale

The Embassy of India in Muscat has taken proac ve steps to address the challenges faced by Indian blue-collar workers and domes c employees in the Sultanate of Oman, many of whom are vulnerable due to the absence of formal insurance coverage. The risks faced include accidental death, disability, lack of repatriation support, and exposure to legal liabili es with minimal recourse.

Building on past initiatives such as the COMPASS Policy and leveraging the ongoing discussions ini ated by the Embassy's scheduled DVC on 29 May 2025, New India Assurance proposes to introduce an individual insurance product specifically for Indian workers in Oman.

2. Product Overview (Indica ve Structure)

Coverage Component Limit upto (OMR)

Accidental Death 4,600

Permanent Total Disability 4,600

Permanent Partial Disability Up to 3,450

Emergency Medical Expenses (due to Accident) 230

Repatriation of Mortal Remains Actuals (as per cap)

Return Ticket for Medical Unfitness Economy Fare

Maternity (Female Workers) 160 — 230

Legal Support for Employment Disputes 207

Post-Return Hospitalization in India (Optional Benefit) 115

 Policy Tenure: 1 year (renewable)

 Premium Estimate: OMR 20 per insured annually (To be approved by actuarial calculation)

 Exclusions: Natural death, suicide, intoxication, etc.

3. Target Segment

 Indian na onals employed in blue-collar roles (construction, domes c help, factory workers, drivers, etc.)

 Workers who may not be covered under existing PBBY (Pravasi Bhara ya Bima Yojana)

 Primarily ECR and vulnerable ECNR passport holders

4. Key Assumptions and Launch Conditions

 The product will be offered only if a minimum of 500 confirmed sign-ups are received.

 New India Assurance will first seek Expressions of Interest (EOI) via a public Google Form to gauge demand.

 Once at least 1,000 EOIs are received (to account for dropout rate), underwriting and regulatory filing process will be initiated.

 Final pricing, benefits, and conditions will be subject to actuarial analysis and FSA (Oman) regulatory approval.

5. Administrative Considerations

 Policies will be issued individually to each insured member.

 Language support and documenta on will be made available in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and other regional languages.

 Enrolments can be facilitated through trusted Indian community associations, NGOs, or directly via digital form.

 No medical underwriting will be required for entry, simplifying onboarding.

6. Community Engagement and CSR Commitment

 New India Assurance remains open to subsidizing the premium component as part of CSR, depending on scale.

 We will also work closely with the Embassy to conduct awareness campaigns, orientation programs, and grievance redressal workshops post-launch.

7. Legal and Compliance

 This proposal is a dra for consulta on and not a final product filing.

 All terms shall be finalized in accordance with Oman Insurance Law and under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Oman.

 Claims will be serviced by New India Assurance Oman only