Insurance launched for refugees in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPR, 08 June 2016 – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and a Malaysian insurance company have launched insurance schemes for refugees in Malaysia, offering minimal financial protection from accidents and medication needs at an affordable cost.
By paying an annual premium of RM164.30 (US$40.50) for medical insurance, refugees in Malaysia are entitled up to RM10,000 (US$2,465) for hospitalization and surgical coverage.
For an additional RM12.20 (US$3), refugees can get personal accident coverage of RM23,000 (US$5,670).
RHB Insurance Berhad, a local insurance company, also launched a family insurance package which provides coverage to parents and three children below the age of 18. Additional RM20 was fixed for every child if the refugee family has more than three children.
The annual premium for the family insurance is RM206.70 (US60), and it covers up to RM12,000 (US$2,960) for the whole family.
The insurance company believes that within a year, about 30,000 refugees will join the different schemes offered by them, as it is the first company that provides insurance protection to refugees in the country.
More than 500 refugees were reported signed up since the soft launch in early June.
Richard Towle, UNHCR representative in Malaysia, said most refugees work in 3D positions – dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs in Malaysia, although the government literally does not allow them to work.
“We don’t encourage refugees to work illegally, but we have to accept the fact that they need to work to feed themselves and their family.”
“It’s affordable for refugees here to pay RM200 (US$49.30) for a family insurance,” he said.#
