ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council resumes in a few weeks following its summer recess – and members promise this will be their strongest year yet.
Since the break began, members have been busy meeting Emiratis in their communities and listening to their concerns.
As a result, health, education and Emiratisation will be top of their agenda when it comes to quizzing ministers.
“There will be questions and important issues that will be discussed this year,” said Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai). “A lot of topics are ready to be discussed.
“This year the council will work much better than the previous two years, covering a lot of issues.”
The first priority, said Sultan Al Sammahi (Fujairah), would be Wadeema's Law, the country's first child-protection legislation, named after an eight-year-old girl who was tortured and killed by her father.
Discussion of the bill was tabled for the final few sessions of the last term but delayed because of the absence of the Minister of Social Affairs, Mariam Al Roumi.
“Straight after the break, we will be debating this,” Mr Al Sammahi said. “This law will be the first to be discussed. It is of high importance and the country needs it.”
Other topics for the coming term include the policies of the federal demographic council, the state of teachers in the country, central bank policies, the Ministry of Social Affairs’ policy for monitoring co-ops, the labour market, and an investment bill, which may allow majority foreign-ownership of companies.
“Priority this year will be on Emiratisation and jobs,” said Mosabeh Al Kitbi (Sharjah). “There are a lot of issues relating to the Ministry of Health and education that will be discussed. There are problems that came out recently and they need to be discussed with the ministers.”
Mr Al Kitbi is also concerned about the rising cost of health care. Even with medication prices being slashed, he believes they are still too high.
Problems in education are also increasing despite the ministry’s efforts.
“There have been four or five Emirati teachers resigning in Sharjah Education Zone,” he said. “Because of the places they are making them work.”
He said a teacher without a car was required to travel 60 kilometres to work, even though there was an opening at a school near her home.
“But the education zone are moving her,” he said. “I have been speaking to officials. If this is not resolved with the start of the new term, it will be discussed publicly.
“Now that our time in the council is almost over, we will be feistier this year.”
Mr Al Rahoomi said the longer each member stayed on the council, the more productive each became.
An issue he will raise is the gap in Emirati pensions. It has been discussed on several occasions but Mr Al Rahoomi said the council would keep bringing it up until it was resolved.
“This is one of the issues Emiratis always bring up,” he said.
Faisal Al Teniji (Ras Al Khaimah) said the “new” members, who have only been on the council a short time, were confident.
“They all know how the council works,” he said. “This year there will be a lot more laws and committee work than last year.”
Members hope their work will not be hindered by the absence of ministers.
“We hope in the beginning we encounter no delays,” Mr Al Rahoomi said. “And if a minister is not planning to come, we hope they tell us days in advance so that we can summon another minister in his stead so we do not waste the council’s time.
“Ministers will be more responsive to the council this year. After all, we are all heading in the same direction in the end, to serve the country. We complete them.”
The council will convene some time between the third week of next month and the third week of November.
osalem@thenational.ae
