ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council (FNC) said yesterday it was in the process of overhauling the way it operated.
The shake-up would mainly target the way the Government handles legislation proposed by the FNC's 40 members. It would also revamp the drafting of parliamentary recommendations and gathering of information needed by members.
"We are in the process of developing the work of the council. Our plan is to execute things calmly," said the speaker Abdul Aziz al Ghurair. "[This includes] the way the parliament works and even our interaction with ministers."
Mr Ghurair, said the FNC has handed the Government a set of proposals to enable the legislative body to "provide better service". Although some of the proposals had been agreed, Mr Ghurair declined to give any details and said they would be announced as a full package later.
He said some of the proposals entailed constitutional amendments, which are thought to include extending the parliamentary term from two to four years.
However, Mr Ghurair added that "constitutional amendments are under the jurisdiction of the president and the Supreme Council", and that only the president had the right to decide on issues such as extending the parliamentary term.
"We have our own opinion on this issue," Mr Ghurair said. "There are international practices on parliamentary terms spanning from two to six years.
"We accepted to work under this constitution and we're happy to hand over the mission to other citizens."
Several lawmakers have expressed frustration over the slow pace at which the Government has implemented recommendations. They have also asked for more powers to be able to hold ministers and other high-ranking officials accountable should they fail to perform their duties.
Mr Ghurair said last month the parliament was engaged in lengthy talks with the Government to establish a procedure to ensure adoption of FNC suggestions.
Once a parliamentary recommendation is passed, it is submitted to the Cabinet, which transfers it, if approved, to the concerned ministries. These recommendations are not binding and they are normally formulated by specialised committee. They are reached after discussing public issues ranging from health and education to labour and economy.
"We always try to make practical recommendations. We can produce endless recommendations, but we are trying to be ambitious and practical," said Mr Ghurair. "We do not make recommendations that the Government cannot implement."
He explained that some of the recommendations had been approved instantly, while the Government did not agree with the parliament members on some others. For example, he said, the Central Bank did not accept a number of proposals on some issues and explained to FNC the reason behind the rejection.
Mr Ghurair said that a decision had been made to "activate the parliament's prepositions" by conducting thorough research before members express their opinions in session. "This is a principle that we approve," he said. "Therefore, we decided to open offices for the members in areas close to citizens because every area has its problems."
According to Dr Mohammed al Mazrouei, the secretary general of the FNC, the offices would be opened in the seven emirates before the end of this year. At present, there are FNC offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but they are used for committee meetings and research purposes.
Mr Ghurair said the parliament would seek the expertise of foreign firms if the reform process required it.
"If we think it is important to seek the help of consultancy firms on technical issues that we don't have enough experience on, we agree in principle," he said.
@Email:mhabboush@thenational.ae
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Rating: 3/5
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
Fiorentina v Torino (8pm)
Hellas Verona v Roma (10.45pm)
Sunday
Parma v Napoli (2.30pm)
Genoa v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (8pm)
Juventus v Sampdoria (10.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Bologna (10.45om)
Playing September 30
Benevento v Inter Milan (8pm)
Udinese v Spezia (8pm)
Lazio v Atalanta (10.45pm)
If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
Teaching in coronavirus times
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Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5