A free insurance scheme that covers more than 100,000 low-paid Indian labourers in Bahrain has been launched.

The scheme offers payouts of up to BD1,000 in the event of a worker dying, as well as medical coverage for worksite injuries.

It has been introduced by the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF), which operates under the umbrella of the Indian Embassy.

The Accident Insurance Policy Scheme is expected to benefit around 140,000 Indian labourers in Bahrain who earn less than BD150, said ICRF chairman John Iype.

He said the ICRF had paid a BD15,000 premium to cover the entire population of Indian labourers who earn below BD150 with the New India Assurance Company.

'This way, every (Indian) labourer paid under BD150 will be covered,' said Iype.

Details of the free insurance package were announced during a Press conference at the Indian Embassy yesterday.

The scheme, which started on June 1 and provides coverage until May 31 next year, is said to be the first free insurance package of its kind in the world.

It follows another ICRF initiative in which labourers pay 500 fils to be insured up to a value of BD1,000, or they can pay more for higher coverage.

However, Iype said the new package was necessary since many could not afford the 500-fils premium.

'The newly introduced scheme is to benefit those who can not pay to insure themselves,' he said.

In the event of a worker dying, the ICRF will decide who should collect the payout.

'If the deceased is married the money will be sent to his wife, but if he is single it will go to his parents back home,' added Iype.

Indian workers earning below BD150 a month are now being advised to register their names, passport number, company name and a beneficiary in the event of their death with the ICRF.

To register or for more information, contact New India Assurance Company representative Sudhir Shetty on 39901948.-TradeArabia News Service