ABU DHABI // Raising pensions for police and military personnel who retired before 2008, as well as housing allowances for Emiratis aged 60 and older will be debated at the FNC on Tuesday.
FNC members have tabled six question to five ministers ahead of the session.
Sharjah member Salem Al Shamsi said only police and army personnel who retired after December 31, 2008 benefited from a decree issued that year to raise their pensions.
“But those who retired before that date did not benefit from this decision,” he said.
A follow-up decree was issued to include everyone but it did not take effect, as it was not published in the official gazette.
“The Ministry of Justice is in charge of publishing it in the official gazette but it did not, and many nationals have suffered because of this issue,” said Mr Al Shamsi.
Although he did not have an accurate figure of those who were excluded from the pension increase, he said thousands of Emiratis were affected.
Mr Al Shamsi said the issue had been raised extensively in public and to him in person.
“And since I am the head of the defence committee, it is my responsibility to raise this issue,” he said.
Minister of Justice, Sultan Al Badi, was expected to answer the question either in writing or in person.
Azza bin Suleiman, an FNC member for Dubai, will be raising her first question since her appointment to the council.
She will ask Dr Abdulla Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Infrastructure Development and chief executive of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme , whether it was possible to amend regulations regarding housing allowances for Emiratis who are 60 and older.
Mrs bin Suleiman had served as a manager for several departments at the housing program before joining the FNC.
She will ask whether the Government could provide housing allowances instead of loans to Emiratis in this age group whose monthly salaries were less than Dh15,000.
“These amendments will have a positive impact on this segment of people and add happiness to their lives and those around them,” she said.
“It will also serve as an appreciation and gratitude for this group, who spent their lives building the UAE.”
Such an amendment would be in line with an initiative, called Our Family is United 2021, that was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said Mrs bin Suleiman.
The FNC was also expected to pass a draft law on establishing the Emirates Sports Arbitration Centre on Tuesday.
hdajani@thenational.ae
