Grange’s Revolutionary Music & Entertainment Insurance Launches Soon
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Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange announced that the Guardian Life Insurance Company has been chosen as the Government’s health and life insurance provider for the music and entertainment industry. The plan, expected to be launched soon, aims to provide coverage for entertainers in case of illness or death, helping them avoid financial hardship. The initiative was first announced in December 2019, with plans to include life, health, maternity, and pension benefits for artists, and discussions are ongoing to possibly extend benefits from the proposed Tourism Workers Pension Scheme to entertainers.
Guardian Life Insurance to Provide Health and Life Coverage for Music and Entertainment Industry
The Culture and Entertainment Minister, Olivia “Babsy” Grange, has revealed that the Government has contracted Guardian Life Insurance Company as its health and life insurance provider for the music and entertainment sector. The insurance plan, anticipated for some time, is set to launch in the coming weeks.
Grange highlighted that the plan aim to alleviate situations where entertainers and cultural practitioners face health issues or death with inadequate financial resources. The insurance plan is expected to offer a more dignified, sustainable solution. The Minister expressed hope that entertainers would fully utilize the scheme.
Following a competitive tender process, the contract was awarded to Guardian Life Insurance, with the signing expected to take place shortly. The initiative is designed to reduce vulnerability to financial adversity among artists and creative practitioners.
The initiative of an insurance plan for performing artists and musicians was first proposed in December 2019 by Minister Grange. The idea was to include provisions for life, health, maternity, and pension benefits. Partnerships were established with stakeholders including the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), and Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA).
Discussions also took place with the Tourism Minister to extend benefits from the proposed Tourism Workers Pension Scheme to entertainers and musicians. The health insurance scheme was reportedly close to realization in January last year, with an actuarial consulting firm engaged to assist in the tender process.
Grange, a former manager for popular artists such as Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer and Leroy Sibbles, underlined that the insurance scheme is crucial to ease the financial burden on those who have heavily contributed to the development of the Jamaican brand. This would be particularly beneficial for older practitioners who often struggle with health and insurance issues.
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