ABU DHABI // The Federal National Council has called for greater incentives and monthly wages for Emirati fishermen and farmers.
An FNC ad hoc committee presented a 39-page report on Tuesday calling for support to revive the professions and attract a larger number of Emiratis.
They reported that with the increasing challenges facing fisherman, including a difficulty in regulating fish prices because of expatriate community domination, the Ministry of Environment and Water had to step up its support.
The committee proposed an increase in budget for the Ministry of Environment, an agreement with companies to provide boats and gear to fishermen, a monthly salary for those whose sole occupation is fishing – equivalent to those in Dubai – and subsidies in petrol.
Similarly, they called for financial support for farmers in the form of monthly salaries, organic support and awareness workshops.
The report said the UAE imports about 70 per cent of its needs, particularly strategic goods. The country is one of six Arab nations where the gap between exports and imports was increasing by about 10 per cent.
The committee called for Emiratisation in both professions. In 2011, only 29 per cent of more than 17,000 fishermen were locals. According to 2012 figures, 20 per cent of 170,000 farmers were local.
The five-hour debate, however, proved that the council and the minister, Dr Rashid bin Fahed, had differing opinions.
While the FNC members wanted to help more people venture out to sea to fish the minister wanted to protect the country’s sea wealth, which he believes fisherman have exhausted.
He also challenged figures showing a decrease in the number of Emiratis who were actively fishing. He assured members the numbers were on the rise, increasing from 2,460 in 1990 to 10,000 in 2012.
Hamad Al Rahoomi (Dubai), however, said the number of those with a licence may be on the rise, but the number of people with boats was decreasing.
Dr bin Fahed was confused about Emiratising the professions. He said all fishermen and farm owners were Emiratis, adding those who worked for them and usually did the labour were expatriates.
“Do you mean you want the workers to be Emiratis or the owners?” he asked members. “You need to specify between the two. And who brought these expat workers? Who sponsored them? Locals did.”
He reminded members that the country faced tough challenges when it came to farming. He noted the main produce was dates, which make up 65 per cent of production. He said the ministry was currently studying which kinds of produce would be best to grow in the country.
“We cannot think it is shameful to import,” the minister said. “We are not a farming country, that’s the truth.”
osalem@thenational.ae
