The Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme aimed at safeguarding the interests of Indian emigrant workers falling under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category going for overseas employment to ECR countries. The Scheme, initially launched in 2003, has been amended in 2006, 2008 and 2017 with the overarching objective of strengthening the coverage of emigrant workers.
The last comprehensive review of the Scheme has been undertaken during 2017 in consultation with all stake holders. The revised scheme PBBY, 2017 has become operational w.e.f. August 1, 2017. Presently, the scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakhs in case of accidental death/permanent disability at an insurance premium of Rs. 275 and Rs. 375 for a period of two and three years respectively. The revised scheme has also been made compulsory for various professions falling under work categories under Section 2(o) of Emigration Act, 1983 irrespective of the passport categories. PBBY, 2017 also includes global insurance coverage irrespective of employer and location, has facility for online renewal and a simplified process for certification of accidental death/permanent disability. The scheme is now more beneficial for emigrant workers and is aimed at ensuring an expeditious settlement of claims.
Salient features of PBBY, 2017 are as follows :
- The Insured person shall be covered for a sum of Rs.10.00 lakhs in the event of accidental death or permanent disability leading to loss of employment while in employment abroad, irrespective of change of employer/location of the insured person.
- Certification of accidental death or permanent disability by Indian Missions and Posts abroad shall be accepted by the insurance companies.
- Medical insurance covers including injuries/sickness/ailment/diseases available up to Rs.1,00,000/- (up to Rs. 50,000 per hospitalization).
- Repatriation cover for medically unfit/premature termination of employment: Actual one-way economy class airfare to the nearest international airport in India.
- Family Hospitalization in India is available for up to Rs. 50,000/- for spouses and first two children up to 21 years of age.
- Maternity expenses benefit to women emigrants available up to Rs. 50,000/-.
- Reimbursement of return economy class airfare to the nearest international airport to one attendant in case of an emigrant’s accidental death or permanent disability.
- Legal expenses on litigation related to the emigrant’s overseas employment admissible up to Rs. 45,000/-.
- Provision for online renewal of PBBY policy.