ABU DHABI — The health insurance law does not discourage polygamy as expatriate employees sponsoring more than one wife could still insure spouses (not insured by employer) under a special policy, an official source has revealed.

In case of employees sponsoring more than one wife, the health insurance law enforced in the country stipulates that the employer shall be responsible for insuring the employee and only one wife, in addition to three kinds below the age of 18.

“However, other spouses could still be included in the insurance policy, provided that the employee bears the expenses of the insurance,” an official source at the General Health Authority for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (GAHS) told Khaleej Times yesterday.

The official clarified that accepting only one wife in the insurance scheme was not intended to discourage expat employees from sponsoring other spouses.

“Spouses of expat employees in this category could still benefit from the insurance project. However, the husband and not the employer should bear the expenses of treatment and medication his spouses might require,” said the official.

He said a polygamous employee can insure spouses whom he sponsors under the ‘basic policy’ designed for low income group.

The ‘basic policy’ is eligible for expatriates with a low salary of Dh4,000 without accommodation or Dh3,000 plus accommodation.

People in this category will avail an annual benefit limit of Dh250,000 per person.

“As per the law on health insurance, an employee with more than one wife could avail of the ‘basic policy’ which is supported by the government and tailored only for blue collar workers with low income,” said the official.

He said the move aims at alleviating the burden of medical expenses for expats with more than one wife.

Meanwhile, immigration and residency authorities stressed that the health insurance policy is a prerequisite for issuing and renewing visas.