FNC seeks social security system

Dubai: Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) yesterday vowed to support the executive authority and enhance participation in decision-making process.

In their response to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's inaugural speech, the representatives said they will spare no effort to discuss all issues of concern to the public.

While appreciating the President's gesture on the occasion of the 40th National Day, including pay rises and a Dh10 billion fund for coping with the loans of citizens with low income, members of the House expressed hope that the government will develop an integral social security system covering all citizens, linking pay and pension rises to the rate of inflation and improving housing policy and infrastructure to meet present and future needs of the people.

In his opening speech before the council last month, Shaikh Khalifa said the FNC was not a privilege or social relevance but an arduous responsibility.

Policy making

The President urged the members of the House to invest all their efforts in the empowerment of public participation in policy making.

In his inaugural address to the FNC, Shaikh Khalifa told the members: "On this day when we are opening the first ordinary session of the 15th Legislative Chapter of the Federal National Council with larger representation and greater ability to perform its functions, we congratulate you as you received the confidence of the people and support of the leadership, and remind you that the membership of the National Council is not a privilege or societal relevance but it is an arduous responsibility of those who have placed confidence and nominated you as they have high hope and expectations from you. Come up to this confidence and commit yourselves to the interest of the nation and the interests of citizens, and you will have our full support in this endeavour."

Emiratisation

The representatives said they back the UAE's policies, stances and efforts, demanding that the Government make more effort to further progress in economic, educational, health, security and social areas.

They also urged the Government to exert more effort to face up to challenges in Emiratisation, population structure and other strategic and legislative policies.

Shaikh Khalifa said the convening of the session is a successful crowning of the second phase in the country's course to deepen the culture of participation and develop its practices "which we have taken with full national will".

"We are determined to move forward to achieve the aspirations of our people in a homeland to share and be proud to live in and belong to it because empowerment is the spirit of the Union," Shaikh Khalifa said.

Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs, said the Government will continue to cooperate with the House to deepen the political participation and parliamentary work.

He added the Government looks forward to a council that is more concerned of issue of the people.