The UAE's Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE) insurance scheme, a mandatory program for all employees, offers financial support to both public and private sector workers who find themselves unemployed. This government-backed safety net is specifically designed to aid residents in the event of job loss due to redundancy. Employees who have been enrolled in the scheme for at least 12 consecutive months are eligible for protection. However, employees who cancel their residency and depart the country or secure a new job will not receive compensation. Additionally, employees must fulfill certain criteria and submit the required documentation to claim benefits following involuntary job loss. Understanding all the requirements for claiming ILOE benefits can be daunting, so here is a comprehensive list of necessary documents, the claim process, and the expected timeline for processing.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. The employee must have been subscribed to the unemployment insurance scheme for no less than twelve (12) consecutive months, with no more than three consecutive months of interruption in subscription.
2. The insured employee must have timely paid all due insurance premiums.
3. The employee must demonstrate that the unemployment is not due to voluntary resignation, with the employer's letter and the Mohre work permit cancellation application indicating 'termination'.
4. The employee remains eligible if not dismissed for disciplinary reasons in line with applicable labour laws.
5. The claim must be filed within thirty (30) days from the termination of the employment relationship or the resolution of a labour complaint.
6. The insured worker must not have an unresolved complaint regarding absence from work (absconding).
7. No compensation is due if fraud or deceit is involved in the claim, or if the employer's organization is proven to be fictitious.
8. The loss of employment must not be a result of non-peaceful labour strikes or stoppages.
9. The worker must be legally present in the UAE to claim insurance.
10. The loss of employment must not be due to war, pollution events, terrorism, government actions, or force majeure.
Submission of Claims:
To apply for a claim, ensure your labour contract is cancelled by your employer. You will need the labour cancellation request document and the cancelled contract document. Fill out the claim form and submit it to ILOE within thirty (30) days from the date of termination, attaching the following documents in PDF format: the dismissal document, an undertaking for a final judicial ruling, Emirates ID copy, certificate of insurance copy, work permit cancellation document, visa cancellation document, copy of the employment contract, IBAN certificate, valid UAE mobile number, and any supporting documents as required by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Dubai Insurance Company, on behalf of the Insurance Pool, will pay within two weeks from the date of receiving the claim, provided the documents meet the eligibility criteria. The insurer will transfer the claim payment to the designated account.
The Process:
Once a claim is filed, the insurer will process the documents; the verification timeframe varies. If all is in order, the ILOE will request a 'travel report' to confirm the worker's presence in the UAE. Generate the travel report before visa cancellation through GDRFA or Amer centre, or via the Dubai NOW app. Upload this report to the ILOE platform. Within a few days, you will receive a notification of approval or rejection. Once approved, the insurance company must transfer the compensatory amount within two weeks.
Filing the Application:
To file a compensation application, visit the ILOE website, click on 'Submit a Claim,' enter your Emirates ID details and a valid UAE phone number, and follow the steps to complete the submission. The unemployment insurance scheme is divided into two categories: one for those with a basic salary of Dh16,000 or below, with a Dh5 monthly premium and a Dh10,000 maximum monthly compensation, and another for those with a basic salary exceeding Dh16,000, with a Dh10 monthly premium and a Dh20,000 maximum monthly compensation. The compensation is paid for up to three months from the date of unemployment, provided the employee was not terminated for disciplinary reasons and did not resign.
