A UAE government official has made a fresh call for a nationwide law to be introduced to protect elderly people from the threat of abuse or negligence.
Plans for a binding federal law - covering all seven emirates - to safeguard the rights of older people in the country have been under discussion for several years.
Speaking on the International Day for Older Persons, Azza Sulaiman, a member of the UAE Federal National Council, said he had been pushing for legislation to be brought into force for more than a year.
The FNC member says a law to guide policy across all emirates is required to address concerns such as negligence at the home and cases of abuse at the hands of domestic workers.
“I questioned the then Minister of Community Development during a council session and while she explained the Ministry’s strategy at the time, there is yet to be a law,” she said.
The minister at the time, Najla Mohammed Al Awar, told her the law was under review.
Since then, the UAE has appointed a new Minister of Community Development, Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, and the law is still to be ratified.
“There are many cases of the elderly being abused and taken advantage of by domestic helpers,” the FNC member said.
“Without a law, these cases will only increase.
“Cases of blackmail have been reported by elderly people, especially those living on their own, accusing domestic workers of taking advantage of their health conditions.”
Elderly people are defined as being those aged 60 and over in the UAE.
Over 60s in the UAE receive a monthly income, discounted services and free health care from the government.
While there is support for the elderly in the UAE, families believe dedicated laws would offer protection for them, especially in cases where they are victims of abuse.
Reem Salem says that a domestic helper locked her grandmother in the bedroom for hours and said she wanted her dead.
"I'm not saying that they are all bad. We have an amazing helper now looking after my grandmother when we are all at work but there needs to be a family member present at all times and a law that will make the domestic helper think twice before abusing an elderly person," she said.
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The new UAE league has been boosted this season by the arrival of five Pakistanis, who were not released to play last year.
Shaheen Afridi (Desert Vipers)
Set for at least four matches, having arrived from New Zealand where he captained Pakistan in a series loss.
Shadab Khan (Desert Vipers)
The leg-spin bowling allrounder missed the tour of New Zealand after injuring an ankle when stepping on a ball.
Azam Khan (Desert Vipers)
Powerhouse wicketkeeper played three games for Pakistan on tour in New Zealand. He was the first Pakistani recruited to the ILT20.
Mohammed Amir (Desert Vipers)
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Law 41.9.4 of men’s T20I playing conditions
The fielding side shall be ready to start each over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed.
An electronic clock will be displayed at the ground that counts down seconds from 60 to zero.
The clock is not required or, if already started, can be cancelled if:
• A new batter comes to the wicket between overs.
• An official drinks interval has been called.
• The umpires have approved the on field treatment of an injury to a batter or fielder.
• The time lost is for any circumstances beyond the control of the fielding side.
• The third umpire starts the clock either when the ball has become dead at the end of the previous over, or a review has been completed.
• The team gets two warnings if they are not ready to start overs after the clock reaches zero.
• On the third and any subsequent occasion in an innings, the bowler’s end umpire awards five runs.