A new Group Protection Insurance scheme has been introduced in the UAE to support blue-collar workers. Launched by Dubai National Insurance (DNI) in partnership with Nexus Insurance Brokers LLC at the Consulate General of India in Dubai, this scheme builds on the Life Protection Plan (LPP) introduced in March 2024. Starting April 1, 2025, the scheme will provide financial security for Indian blue-collar workers and other employees in the UAE. It offers comprehensive coverage, including natural and accidental death benefits, permanent disability, and repatriation expenses. Each insured person will receive AED 35,000 in coverage for an annual premium of AED 32.

The initiative underscores the Consulate General of India's dedication to protecting the well-being of Indian expatriates in the UAE. By urging employers to implement this as part of their labour welfare programs, the Consulate seeks to prevent financial hardship for the families of Indian workers in the event of their untimely death.

Anthony Cerchiai, Head of General Insurance at the Nexus Group, emphasised the initiative's importance, “We designed this product with DNI to ensure that blue-collar workers are financially protected, and their families in India are not left vulnerable. The selection process took months, as we needed an insurer capable of covering a vast number of workers without pre-existing condition exclusions. These hardworking individuals have built this country, and it is our duty to give back to them.”

To support Indian expatriates, the Consulate General of India has partnered with the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and Edapt Learning Technologies to launch a multilingual online Digital Literacy Programme for Indian workers in Dubai. As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, KMCC is backing the initiative to train at least 5,000 workers in its first year. The program will focus on essential digital skills, cyber fraud awareness, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The program offers an eight-week live online training, allowing participants to engage with instructors in real-time. The first four weeks will cover cybersecurity and fraud prevention, while the remaining weeks will introduce AI and its practical uses. Participants who complete the program will receive certificates jointly issued by the Consulate General of India in Dubai and Edapt Learning Technologies, improving their digital skills and job prospects.

Satish Sivan, the Consul General of India in Dubai, highlighted the importance of the program, saying, “The first module will cover basic cyber frauds and cybersecurity over four weeks. The next four weeks will introduce workers to AI and how they can leverage it. This is just the beginning, and as we assess feedback, we aim to refine and expand the program further. It aligns with our vision to serve the vast Indian community here.”

These new initiatives highlight the Consulate’s dedication to enhancing the well-being of Indian workers in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. By focusing on financial security and digital literacy, the Consulate is helping to create a more secure and digitally skilled Indian expatriate community in the UAE, which currently numbers 4.3 million.