Zurich Financial Services has launched Defense Base Act workers compensation coverage for employees of federal contractors who are working outside the US on military bases, overseas public works projects or similar contracts funded by the US federal government.
Originally passed by Congress in 1941, the Defense Base Act (DBA) mandated workers’ compensation coverage for civilians employed at American military bases overseas. Since its inception, the scope has been broadened to protect most private-sector employees working for the US government on federally funded projects overseas. The program is administered by the US Department of Labor.
Mario Vitale, CEO of Zurich’s global corporate in North America, said: As directives from the US military and other federal agencies are increasingly outsourcing support-related services such as security, linguistics, commissary services, IT and equipment maintenance, we see this market as a significant growth opportunity.