FNC opposes cuts of 5% to federal spending



ABU DHABI // FNC members broadly opposed yesterday a proposal to slash their budget by five per cent, part of wider cuts to federal spending that members say will harm citizens and drive skilled workers to neighbouring countries.

They argued the Government should be spending money to stimulate the economy instead of relying on austerity measures, and questioned the constitutionality of the proposed cuts.

One member urged the Government to cut ministerial salaries and travel expenses instead of essential services in education and health.

"The one who will be harmed by the five per cent is the regular citizen," said Abdul Raheem al Shaheen, a representative from Ras al Khaimah.

"Will the salaries of the ministers be affected? Will their per diem costs be affected? Will the benefits that the top officials in the country receive be affected?"

The impassioned pleas were made after a letter announcing the cuts signed by Obaid Humaid al Tayer, the minister of state for financial affairs, was read out in the chamber.

The budgets of ministries and federal bodies are to be cut by five per cent. The FNC's budget is set to fall to Dh126.27 million for 2011, 2012 and 2013, down from Dh132m in 2010.

A vast majority of the council were against the cuts.

"Today we are in a financial crisis, like all the countries in the world the Government should spend and not hold back," Dr al Shaheen said.

He said the strategy of cutting federal spending violated basic economic principles.

"This is the wrong message that the government is sending in this regard." He added that it was not clear where the cuts would occur.

"When you cut five per cent from the Ministry of Social Affairs, it means 10,000 people will now not get benefits," Dr al Shaheen said.

Ahmed al Khateri, a member from RAK, said: "The federal government is facing a lot of challenges." There was a "dangerous bleeding" in federal jobs, he said, particularly in health and education, with many employees leaving their jobs due to low salaries.

Mohammed al Zaabi, a member from Sharjah,e warned that many expatriates with technical expertise, such as doctors and nurses, were leaving their federal government jobs and looking for work in neighbouring countries.

Yousef al Nuaimi, a member from RAK, doubted that FNC proposals to raise the salaries of doctors and teachers would be acted upon.

He said that the cuts would be harmful to the federal government as emirates would respond by directing money towards local projects.

"The carpet is being pulled slowly from under federal authorities," he said.

The FNC is expected to debate next year's federal budget before the end of the year.

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for FNC affairs, said the Government would not cut social benefits, but he acknowledged that federal finances were suffering.

"The federal government is not the only government suffering from the effects of the financial crisis," Dr Gargash said.

The UAE was one of the countries that dealt seriously with the crisis early on, for instance by pumping money into the financial system, he said.

The Government had to balance its development costs with financial revenues, he said.

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

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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.
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