UAE Minister says raising child allowance could hinder future progress

Mosabeh Al Kitbi (Sharjah) questioned Obaid Al Tayer, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, about increasing the child allowance for fathers from Dh600 per child to Dh1,000.

ABU DHABI // Calls at Tuesday's meeting to increase child allowance have been questioned because of the cost it would incur.

Mosabeh Al Kitbi (Sharjah) asked Obaid Al Tayer, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, about increasing the child allowance for fathers from Dh600 per child to Dh1,000.

He argued about the demographics of the country, saying an increase in the allowance would allow families to have more children, thus increasing the Emirati population.

“The Emirati is now a minority. I am speaking of a responsible person who has children and who wants more children but can’t have them. We are not talking about ambassadors, ministers, or managers, but we are talking about regular people who deserve and need such an allowance,” he said.

The country’s leaders always spoke about keeping the community “happy and comfortable”, said Mr Al Kitbi, and could provide for their citizens.

“The country spends Dh455 million annually on child allowances,” said Mr Al Tayer.

“If we were to increase the rates, as Mr Al Kitbi requested, that would be a 67 per cent increase. That would cost the Government Dh305 million annually, and, to be clear, we have to take into consideration this allowance comes within the pension [of the father].”

“Many families do not live in good conditions,” said Mr Al Kitbi. “Families need bigger houses, medication and treatment, and enough food. If Dh305 million will solve the issue, they why not implement it?”

An increase in this allowance, said the minister, could hamper future developments – all of which must be given due consideration.

The minister said the country already provided citizens with health care, housing, education and higher education, as well as scholarships, which ran into the billions of dirhams.