ABU DHABI // Men and women whose mother is Emirati and whose father is foreign are now able to sign up for national service.
The change was announced by the National and Reserve Service Authority, the state news agency Wam reported.
Other changes announced by the authority would allow the only male children in a family to be given the option to sign up.
The changes were made in response to public demand, the authority said.
Under the existing law, the only male child in a family would have been exempt from service so that he could preserve the family household. Following the insistence of families who fall under this category but wished to allow their sons to serve, the authority decided to offer them the option. Those who wish to register can do so in centres across the country.
The law requires Emirati men between 18 and 30 to perform military service for nine months. Men who don’t complete secondary school must serve two years. The service has been optional for women.
Eligible men who fail to join the military without a valid reason face jail, a fine or both.
Those who do complete their service would receive benefits, such as priority jobs in government and private businesses, marriage grants, housing plots and scholarships.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
