ABU DHABI // Three ministers will be questioned by Federal National Council members next week, as the assembly focuses on issues such as pensions and delayed legislation.
Dr Abdullah Al Shamsi (Sharjah) will ask Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs and deputy head of the pensions authority, about the possibility of increasing the pensions payments for undersecretaries, managers and employees who retired before January 1, 2008.
The issue has previously been raised in the council without much progress, and FNC members have been keen to raise the issue again.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, is also set to attend.
Sheikh Nahyan will be questioned by Rashad Bukhash (Dubai) over the delay in introducing a law to protect archaeological sites.
“We have 2,800 archaeological sites that need protecting,” Mr Bukhash said, adding that without the law, sites and artefacts were constantly under the threat of theft or destruction.
Mr Bukhash said that a law on the subject was first passed to the FNC three years ago, but after approval it was rejected by various emirates that wanted it to be sent back to the council.
Mr Bukhash will also question Mariam Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, over a delay in a law to grant international organisations the right to open branches in the UAE. He said he was a member of a museum council in Paris that is unable to open a branch in the UAE without this law.
Mr Bukhash said that the council had 30,000 members and held a number of conferences, which could benefit the UAE.
After the questions, three draft laws will be debated: a law establishing a court of First Instance in Al Dhiyad, Sharjah; a draft to amend some articles in a 2008 law on the national centre for research; and Wadeema’s law on child protection.
The session will start at 9am on Wednesday at the FNC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, and will be open to the public.
osalem@thenational.ae
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
