Announced on 19 February, the Government of Dubai issued the final deadline for expatriate workers to obtain mandatory health insurance. Set for 31 March 2017, expats who do not purchase health insurance before this date face a fine. The fine is payable by both employee and employer. According to the Dubai Executive Council, around 98 per cent of expats already have health insurance in the Arab state.
The new Executive Council resolution no (6), 2017, which enforces the deadline, has been approved of by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The resolution, however, gives authority to Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, to extend the 31 March deadline if required.