International Medical Insurance for Expatriates

Showing posts with label Expat News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expat News. Show all posts

23 February 2012

Hong Kong looks to lure expat workers

The Hong Kong government is stepping up plans to attract talented foreign workers to the island as it predicts a huge labour shortage.

The former British colony has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations coupled with one of the lowest birth rates. The Hong Kong government forecasts a shortfall of 14,000 employees by 2018, as the growth of its workforce slows to 0.6 per cent a year. It needs to be double this growth rate. This 14,000 shortfall is needed just to maintain its existing labour force, without taking into account any growth in jobs as the economy expands.

Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung said: "The government has put in place a host of measures to attract and nurture talents and upgrade the skills of our workforce in order to ensure an adequate manpower supply. It is noteworthy that the growth in both the manpower requirement and supply is projected to tilt towards workers with higher education qualifications.”

This opens a gap for educated foreign workers to relocate to the city as there will be a surplus of low-skilled workers. But While Hong Kong is hoping to lure professionals from overseas, it is facing stiff competition from cities such as Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai.

It also faces the triple challenges of pollution, high home prices and difficulties in finding school places for expatriate children, common reasons why foreign professionals choose not to live in Hong Kong.

Mr Cheung added: “Aging population is one of the key population policy issues on which the government has been focusing its efforts. As the retirees leave the labour force, the growth in manpower supply will be hindered.”

About 17 per cent of Hong Kong’s population will be at least 65 years old by 2018, compared with 13 per cent last year, according to its Census and Statistics Department.

Raymond So, dean at the business school of the Hang Seng Management College in Hong Kong, said: “Some international companies may opt for Singapore over Hong Kong because of pollution and education concerns, but Hong Kong still has an edge in its proximity to China.”

Demand for professionals in the financial services industry is expected to increase 2.5 per cent to 253,100 by 2018. The number of workers needed in the manufacturing sector however may drop 3.1 per cent, according to a government report.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for international medical insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.


31 January 2012

Expats In Turkey Face Confusing New Law

Expatriates living in Turkey scrambled this week to try to fulfill a new requirement that foreign residents register and pay for national health insurance by Tuesday, January 31, or face a fine said to be 886.50 lira, or about $495. Early reports indicated that an as-yet unspecified level of coverage would cost foreign residents about 2,500 lire per year.

Confused Americans and Britons flooded their consulates in Istanbul with phone calls and e-mails, struggling to learn how to register, or whether they might be exempt if already covered by their home country’s national health plan or a private insurer.

Others went directly to their neighborhood office of the Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu, or Social Security Institution. The result? Hours-long lines and office workers who either hadn’t heard of the law or gave conflicting instructions on how to comply.

One American expat, who is covered by Medicare, the government insurance plan for the elderly in the United States, visited two S.G.K. Offices.

At first, the director “threw the blame for the ignorance of expats on their consulate,” they said. “He then told us we needed a signed document describing the kind of coverage we have in the States,” and to take it to another office that deals with foreign applications. At the second office, she was told that she needed a signed, notarized and translated letter from the U.S. Consulate testifying to her insurance status in the United States. Although the S.G.K. employees did not necessarily know the details, “They really did try to help us.”

In a message to Americans living in Turkey, the American Embassy in Ankara acknowledged that “exactly how this new law applies to U.S. Citizens and the foreign community is difficult to interpret.”

The American expat then called the consulate’s American Citizens Services office, and was told that the Tuesday deadline was being postponed to Feb. 29 and that the “consulate was negotiating with the Turkish government to try to come up with a clear procedure.” The consulate on Thursday did not confirm the extension.

“I was very relieved when I heard that,” they said, “because we wouldn’t have to spend the next few days going nuts, getting documents copied, etc., standing in line.”

Could there be a silver lining in all the confusion?

Some expats without health insurance coverage living in Istanbul said they would welcome the chance to sign up for local health insurance, if the Turkish authorities would only clarify — and simplify — the procedure.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Ankara posted a statement about what it called “the sudden changes to the Turkish health insurance system.”

The statement said that after the British ambassador and a consular team met with Turkish authorities about the “the substance, cost, lack of clarity and short notice of the change,” British residents in Turkey would be exempt. But that those who had already chosen to join the Turkish system would be allowed to remain in it.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.


Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

30 January 2012

Is the Middle East, 'best for expat pay and packages'?

With increased competition in Asia leading to fewer perks for arriving expats, headhunters are looking to other regions to pull together attractive financial packages, particularly in the banking sector

Potential expats in the financial sector are finding fewer attractive pay deals in Asia, as firms feel the pinch of the global recession. But looking further afield, school fees, flights home and car allowances are still up for grabs for the right candidate in certain regions.

A spokesperson from InterExec, which acts as an agent for senior executives. says that there is increased competition for roles in Asia due to firms in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong actually laying off more than recruiting.

But expats in banking can still get a good package in certain parts of Asia, and in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, for example.

“It is true that expat packages are not what they used to be and it is true that there is more demand from executives for expat roles," "It is not easy to obtain the same level of reward package as one could get previously; one of our clients was recently told when attempting to do so that 'beggars cannot be choosers'.

“Having said that, the packages are still to a very great extent tax-free and a tax-free salary is a real perk."

A recent client taking up a new role in south-east Asia, they said, had "secured a £150k base salary tax-free as compared with £125k taxable in the UK, both of course plus bonuses, no school fees and two flights home, whereas a more senior client earning a £400k package in the UK has secured a £500k package tax-free in the Middle East, six air fares a year, school fees and a driver."

Perks such as school fees and flights home very much depend on the role, and you are generally only likely to get two flights home a year at a junior level.

“Singapore is likely to match UK salaries but, of course, at a lower tax rate,".

“Russia is still well rewarded but it is becoming increasingly expensive to live there, so that there tend to be more expats coming out than going in."

So where should the smart expat look for roles in 2012? InterExec is seeing some options emerge in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe for the right candidate.

“In the Middle East, the Brits tend to be preferred to the Americans, because they are more diplomatic and more able to adapt to the culture,” The spokesperson said. “Particularly relevant at the moment are Qatar and Oman. There is not much in Kuwait but Dubai is distinctly coming back."

Another company in this sector "Quintessentially People", commented New York and Paris positions are no longer in demand as expats look east.

"We have been recently working on a position in Mongolia and we had huge interest from candidates,".

"Mongolia is being invested in heavily by various countries and with a potential new major international airline opening up a route to Mongolia, the country and its people will hopefully be reaping the rewards in the coming years."

Despite increased competition for roles, the spokesperson for Quintessentially People is convinced that the packages on offer are still good enough to tempt top financial talent out of Britain.

"One of our most recent positions came with a full-time chauffeur, which would be unheard of in the United Kingdom," they pointed out.

"British citizens are an attractive asset to many overseas employers and as such, they will pay to get a top quality, experienced and high-profile employees, particularly in America and Asia."

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

23 January 2012

HMRC warn expatriates to be on their guard

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) warn expatriates to be on their guard against falling victim to ‘phishing' emails sent out by fraudsters in the run-up to the self-assessment deadline of 31 January.

Expatriates are a particularly vulnerable group targeted by such scams as they are much more likely to respond to a seemingly “official emailed instruction.”

The scam email doing the rounds right now tells the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a link to a clone of HMRC's website where the recipient is asked to give their credit card or bank details. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account using the details provided. HMRC warns that victims are at risk from having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.

Over the last quarter, HMRC says it has assisted in shutting down as many as 185 websites that have been responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails.

Joan Wood, Director of HMRC Online and Digital, said advisers can tell their clients that, "We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We currently don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. If anyone receives an email claiming to be from HMRC, please send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”

HMRC’s investigation into overseas phishing attacks is ongoing. Scam networks have previously been shut down in various countries, including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand and Japan.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

18 January 2012

Is Hong Kong's pollution driving expats away?

According to a report air pollution levels in Hong Kong were at a record high last year which will comes as little surprise to the expats who live in its smog. The report published in The South China Morning Post states, air quality in Hong Kong was 10 times worse last year than in 2005, with pollution levels recorded at three roadside monitor stations above the “very high” mark more than 20 per cent of the time.

Such heavy pollution has obvious implications for the health of Hong Kong’s residents, who it is feared are at an increased risk of everything from respiratory problems to cancer, but also casts a shadow over the city-state's future as a top international business centre.

Hong Kong is home to thousands of expat workers, many filling crucial positions in its thriving banking and finance sector, but the relentless grey haze which hangs over the former British colony could be increasingly driving those who can afford it to settle elsewhere.

Last year, a report from office supplier Regus revealed that an astonishing three-quarters of companies in Hong Kong saw pollution as a problem in recruiting and retaining international talent, while a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong found that nearly half (48 per cent) of its members knew of professionals who had left to escape the contaminated air.

An expat British banker who did not wish to give her full name, claims to know many expats who have returned to their home countries because of pollution, or asked for transfers to other major Asian hubs such as Singapore – largely, she says, due to health concerns.

“A friend of mine used to get plenty of headaches and migraines when he lived in Hong Kong for a few years; when he returned to the US the migraines stopped overnight," she explains. "Another friend's husband has a job here in Hong Kong but since his wife and daughter have asthma, they live in Singapore and he commutes here during the week.”

For those expats who choose to remain in Hong Kong, the desire to escape the smog often dictates where they live. One expat Teacher, originally from Kent, has ended up seeking refuge on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands, where there are no cars. Even so, on some days from her flat she can barely see the high rise buildings just a few miles away over the sea.

“The air quality does seem to be getting worse,” they said. “When I arrived here 17 years ago, there were many more days with a blue sky but now they are few and far between. Before Christmas I had to spend about five hours walking around with a friend, waiting for his evening flight. When we walked through town I could feel my throat getting steadily worse and by evening It was painful to talk. It starts with a prickly throat and develops into a sore throat if you stay on the busy roads.

“I have four years left to retirement, and I would love to stay in Hong Kong, but I think I will have to put my health first and leave.”

So why exactly is Hong Kong's pollution so bad? A reason often cited is its location at the mouth of China’s Pearl River Delta region, a booming economic centre home to over 70,000 factories, but the city's own industrial emissions, heavy traffic and tall buildings which trap contaminated air in a so-called “canyon effect” are also major factors. The government has taken some steps to combat the problem in recent years – including introducing a ban on leaving stationary vehicles' engines running for more than three minutes – but local pressure groups such as the Clean Air Network insist that more changes are necessary.

How much damage the pollution issue could end up wreaking on Hong Kong's attractiveness as a business centre is subject to hot debate. the British expat banker admits that there is a long-term risk that "Hong Kong will lose top talent and industry to its rival Singapore,” but believes that even if many expats leave, the economy will not be seriously hurt.

“There's hundreds of Westerners arriving every day,” she says simply. “The downturn in Europe means there are more and more people seeking work, and more companies relocating their staff here. Hong Kong's economy has always been better than most; it experiences downturns but then it recovers very quickly.”

A spokesperson for Regus in East Asia is not so sure however. “Singapore is seen as a much greener and cleaner alternative, and it is gaining a competitive edge particularly when it comes to expats with families,” they warn.

"While Hong Kong's economy and job market are still extremely strong and it remains a top destination for expatriates, the quality of the environment and its effect on their health is certainly weighing heavily on the minds of those working there."

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.