SHARJAH // A lack of jobs is leading some Khor Fakkan residents to call for more Emiratisation, while others are concerned about health insurance and retirement allowances.
Many who have graduated from universities cannot find a job and are calling for prospective Federal National Council (FNC) members to intervene.
Jamila Rashed, 26, graduated in 2010 and was still looking for employment. “I applied to the public and private sectors in the area but, until now, no one had called me for an interview” said the Hatin resident.
FNC candidates looking to be elected next month should concentrate on this subject, Ms Rashed said, as many people were waiting to become an active member of society.
› Ahead of the FNC election day on October 3, The National's reporters are travelling across the seven emirates to speak to Emiratis and find out the issues that affect them – and what they expect from members of a new Federal National Council. Read them here.
Bader Al Husani said he had been looking for a job for seven years but had not found one.
“I thought of establishing my own business and I took some money from my father and opened a pastry shop in the city but, unfortunately, it didn’t work,” said the 28-year-old.
Ali Aboud, 65, from Yarmouk, said his pension did not cover his daily expenses, in addition to his wife’s medical expenses.
“I retired from the police force 15 years ago. My retirement allowance is Dh16,000 [per month], more than half of which goes to the bank for covering the loan that I had to get to treat my wife in India,” said Mr Aboud.
His wife, Sheikha Saeed, 65, suffered a stroke 15 years ago that paralysed the right side of her body. “I took her three times to India for treatment and it was all on my own expenses.
“She is registered at the Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi for regular check-ups but the Government should cover the treatment expenses for procedures not available here.”
He added that their insurance does not cover private hospitals, and getting an appointment at a public hospital can take months.
Rashed Al Naqbi, a FNC candidate from Khor Fakkan, said a major issue he was focusing on was health insurance.
“That’s why it’s one of my priorities and future projects if I have the chance to be one of the FNC members,” he said.
“Employment and Emiratisation are part of the country’s goals and missions and will work hand-in-hand to reach a satisfactory point.”
Early voting for the FNC election will get under way tomorrow and continue until Wednesday.
The National Election Committee has adopted an electronic voting protection system to guarantee the highest levels of accuracy and transparency at next Saturday’s elections, said Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of the State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of the State for Federal National Council Affairs.
E-voting will be used in the early polls and on election day.
Voters will insert their UAE ID card, then they will either enter the candidate’s number or press on their photo, whereupon the candidate will be shown on screen for confirmation. Lastly, voters will press the “Vote” option to complete the process before taking their ID card. The confirmation option enables voters to modify their choice.
rhaza@thenational.ae