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Jobless locals may get social security

A proposal to this effect was referred by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to higher authorities recently for approval.

The proposal has been incorporated in the final draft of the amendment to the Social Security Scheme which is almost complete, Al Khaleej daily has reported. It quoted sources as saying that social assistance will soon be expanded.

The Social Security Scheme had previously moved from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs a few months ago, where it was reviewed, the report said.

Sources said the government was conducting a comprehensive study to approve monthly allocations for job-seekers.

According to the study, the total number of jobless persons will be determined and action would then be taken to find them jobs in the Federal and local governments, besides private and public sectors. Unemployed nationals who show enthusiasm to be employed will be encouraged by giving them monthly financial assistance.

The new Social Security Scheme also contains major amendments which cover various categories and new procedures as follow up for employment.

Under the current system, monthly social benefits covers widowed national and divorced women, the disabled and the handicapped, the aged, orphans, single daughters, married students, relatives of jailed dependants, estranged wives and insolvents. Also eligible for social security benefits are widowed and divorced national women previously married to foreigners and the expatriate husbands of UAE women.

According to an official report, approximately Dh660 million ($179 million) was distributed among 77,000 beneficiaries of social welfare in the UAE, with the elderly accounting for the largest group of recipients (12,000), followed by divorcees (5000), in 2003.

While the number of nationals receiving assistance had dropped from 83,076 in 1980 to 77,000 in 2003, the cost to the government had risen by 16 per cent per head. The budgetary allocation for social security entitlements amount varies between one per cent and two per cent of the GDP.

The Social Security Department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs plans to reduce the number of social welfare recipients by assisting those suitable for jobs in finding employment for them, or to set up small businesses. The department has also urged charitable and social organisations to contribute to the funding of this innovative project.

The report said the rapid rise in population coupled with the demands of modern living had necessitated government intervention at federal level to ensure that the housing needs of nationals are met throughout the Federation, and such programmes include the free distribution of houses and land to UAE citizens.

Applications for housing are expected to rise to an estimated 33,000 by the end of 2005. In 2004, Dh640 million was allocated to the Shaikh Zayed Housing Project to facilitate the process.

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