FNC calls for reviewing housing installments, social allowance system

During its 12th session in Abu Dhabi, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, the Federal National Council (FNC) called for a comprehensive review of the social allowance system and housing installment policies, linking them to the number of children in a family.

The FNC also urged the inclusion of fertility treatments under insurance coverage across all UAE emirates.

It recommended that the social allowance and housing installments, based on the Cabinet decision No. 6 of 1981 should be linked to family size and loan repayment periods.

Maternity leave duration and breastfeeding hours under the Federal Human Resources Law and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations were requested to re-discussed.

The FNC requested to study granting childcare leave for working mothers in public and private sectors, explore reducing work hours for mothers, and assess its impact on career paths and financial benefits.

The FNC has called for the launch of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at enhancing fertility rates in the UAE.

The strategy should include clear performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of government programmes and initiatives.

The Council emphasised the need to strengthen government initiatives which encourage and facilitate early marriage for young men and women. It also stressed the importance of developing qualitative and quantitative indicators to ensure the effectiveness of existing health policies aimed at increasing fertility rates.

The Council has recommended the establishment of a Federal Fertility Centre, taking into account the geographic distribution of existing centres. The proposal includes a comprehensive plan to attract specialised professionals in the field of fertility, expand continuous medical education and training programmes, and create specialised academic programmes in collaboration with local and international universities.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention was also called to coordinate with local authorities to strengthen oversight and inspection of all fertility assistance centres, with a priority to conducting specialised studies and research on factors influencing fertility rates.

Additionally, the FNC urged the launch of an awareness and educational campaign highlighting the importance of boosting fertility rates and raising awareness about the risks of delaying marriage and childbirth.