Government must recruit retirees

Abu Dhabi: The Government must recruit retirees in the governmental institutions to help them contribute to the economic wellbeing of their community, the Federal National Council (FNC) was told on Tuesday.

"Government programmes must provide for recruiting retirees, who enjoy enormous expertise," said Hamad Harith Al Madfa, a FNC member from Sharjah.

Al Madfa estimated that the UAE has 24,000 retirees, of whom 75 per cent have low incomes.

He said these retirees can replace foreign experts in federal government institutions.

"They will not compete with other job seekers as they can take up jobs of experts. Years of experience in the workplace make our retirees a valuable asset, which should be utilised in all governmental sectors," Al Madfa suggested.

Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education and chairman of Federal Human Resources Authority, said the Government is dedicated to helping Emiratis who have reached retirement age, especially from the Armed Forces.

"A Cabinet decree allowed recruiting them in certain sectors such as the Ministry of labour.

"Retirees in other sectors will also be recruited in all ministries and by-laws for this will be issued by the end of this month or next month."