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Poor emiratisation in co-op unions irks SCC

The observation was made by a member of the SCC in the presence of Ahmed bin Khalfan bin Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Speaker of the Council, and Abdulla bou Shihab, Assistant Under-Secretary of Social Affairs in the Ministry.

The member urged the Ministry to initiate serious measures to nationalise the administrative positions in the cooperative bodies.

The programmes and activities of the Labour Ministry, emiratisation in cooperative societies, development of the social security system as per Islamic and Arab traditions, establishment of a well-knit UAE national family and enhancement of women's role in society as well as helping people with special needs and the elderly were among the issues raised at the Council's session.

Khalifa bin Abdulla bin Huwaidi, Council Member, said that administrative statistics for cooperative societies revealed that around 644 employees were expatriates while only four posts were occupied by UAE nationals. 'There should be a plan to nationalise a number of administrative positions in these societies to create more job opportunities for the jobless graduate UAE nationals,' he said.

Muhair Obaid Mubarak bin Omair Al Katbi, another Council Member, called for the establishment of a souq exclusively for women. 'We should build a new souq for UAE national women to provide them more job opportunities. The proposed market can also have two exclusive shopping days a week for women, and it can also be used to promote local products besides finding job opportunities for women and needy families.'

Al Katbi also emphasised on the importance of not reducing the amount of social aid given by the Ministry to a family after the death of the parents. 'We should be taking care of the children until they get a job and are able to lead lives on their own.'

Mosbih Saeed Balaajade Al Katbi suggested that the Ministry link its departments and offices in the UAE electronically. He also suggested creation of a database in one of the emirates.

Abdul Wahab bin Naser Al Najjar, Council Member, said that the issues of widows and divorced women was also an important subject, and suggested forming a committee or authority to help them overcome their problems besides curbing the increasing number of divorces.

Mohammed Al Abdulli said there should be an objective plan to support the civil society associations such as Protecting Arabic Language Association and Resisting Normalisation with the Zionist Enemy Committee. He suggested adopting new mechanisms for distribution of social aid.

'I would also like to ask the Ministry as to the basis on which it grants or stops social aid.'

Saeed Humud bin Huwadin urged for more opportunities for women to join the social mainstream. 'We should provide women in our society with more job opportunities. Around 33 graduates are jobless in Al Mudam area, for example,' he said.

Khawala Al Mualla raised the issue of elderly people. 'Elderly people played a key role in building up the UAE, and now they are in need of help. Are there any regulations that give aged people discounts and comforts for medicine and food products?' he asked.

Al Mualla also spoke about people with special needs and the lack of specialised centres for severe cases. 'How is the Ministry cooperating with the MoH in working out a new curriculum for students with special needs to help them move to normal schools?'

The recommendations committee suggested a number of recommendations after the session including importance to be given to emiratisation in cooperative societies, reconsidering federal rules and regualtions regarding public welfare associations and cooperative unions in order to control price rise, increasing financial support to public welfare associations, the importance of connecting departments of MLSA electronically to increase efficiency and reviewing the aid to UAE national women who are married to expatriates

Believe it or not!

SHARJAH — The Sharjah Consultative Council member Othman bin Mohammed Al Naqbi stunned the members when he revealed that prices of around 20 products in cooperative markets are higher than the rates in shopping centres and supermarkets.

Al Naqbi pointed out that this was despite the fact that these cooperatives were supported by the Ministry and buildings provided by the government.

He also called for establishing a new elderly home in the Eastern district.

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