In a country where same-sex couples are still struggling to get recognition from the government, a private international firm has decided to extend its health insurance plan to the same-sex partners of its employees. It also provides cover for children adopted or begotten by surrogacy by such partners.
Activists say that while there's a lot more to be done for equal rights at the work place, this is a move towards awareness. Also the inclusion of adopted and surrogate children of LGBTQ couples is a first.
American Express's employee health plan became public when an employee posted the mail sent by the company on social media. Mark Benjamin, chief Human Resources Officer at American Express India said that based on their company's principles of providing health assistance to all colleagues, American Express introduced the Same Gender Partner Coverage in 2017 under the India Health Insurance Plan.
"Few companies in India have included same sex partners in health insurance plans, but this is the first time I am hearing of inclusion of adopted and surrogate children," says Sridhar Rangayan, director, and one of the petitioners in the Supreme Court against section 377. "However, even if a company wants to implement such a policy they might not be able to because of Section 377. The documents of a same-sex couple who has married abroad might not be valid here. The fight is not only against reading down of Section 377, but also recognition for marriages of same-sex couples and (extension) of benefits." Equal rights activist Harish Iyer says moves such as these prove that there is some awareness in the corporate world, but a lot more is needed on a wider spectrum.
The plan follows a series of initiatives taken since 2014 towards helping LGBTQ colleagues. The first support come when a colleague wanted to undergo a gender re-affirmation surgery and reached out for financial assistance. Consequently, the surgery was included in the company's 2015 health plan. Over the years, they have added surrogacy, infertility and IVF treatments.
"Under the India Health Insurance Plan," said Benjamin, "American Express offers a same-sex partner insurance benefits with complete and equal coverage. Enrolment is completely discrete and details of employees availing this benefit will be kept strictly confidential."
Equality Begins At Work
American Express also extends its health insurance plan to provide cover for children adopted or begotten by surrogacy by LGBTQ couples
