Call for reforms in UAE pension and retirement laws



ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council has called for reform of the retirement and pension systems to encourage more Emiratis to work in the private sector.

In a letter to the President, Sheikh Khalifa, FNC members have asked for amendments to the law that would increase eligibility to pensions, harmonise the two existing pension systems and bring forward the retirement age for many women.

In particular, they suggest that Emirati businessmen and owners of small and medium enterprises be permitted to register with the Pensions and Social Welfare Authority, and thus become eligible for state pensions.

"This will motivate nationals to think about working in the private sector, since the country's policy supports nationals to work in the private sector and encourages and facilitates that for them," the FNC says in its letter.

Members have also suggested that UAE nationals who have retired be allowed to seek new jobs while still collecting a state pension, “because this will encourage locals to work in the private sector”.

The FNC has also asked for an end to the anomaly that means pensions for those who retired before 2008 are less generous than for those retired after 2008, for pensions to be linked to the rate of inflation and for changes to women’s eligibility for a pension to be reversed.

Before, women were entitled to a pension after having worked for 20 years. Now, they must have reached the age of 50. Men become eligible for a pension after 35 years’ service, or at the age of 65.

Ahmed Al Shamsi (Ajman) said some occupations required an earlier start than others, and a woman could easily work for 20 years and still not have reached the age of 50.

“So she works for 20 years and should then be able to retire,” he proposed.

In their wide-ranging letter to the President, the FNC also asked for a unified health insurance system across all seven emirates. At present only Emiratis who live in Abu Dhabi are covered by comprehensive Thiqa health insurance, with coverage elsewhere patchy.

Members also asked for new rules making attendance at high school compulsory. Some members suggested that penalties be imposed on young people who fail to complete secondary education.

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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

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Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

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Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

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Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro
Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books 

Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press

The specs

Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 400hp

Torque: 475Nm

Transmission: 9-speed automatic

Price: From Dh215,900

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THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10

ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons

Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page

 

Hawks

Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar

Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish

 

Falcons

Coach: Najeeb Amar

Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh

 

 

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