FNC Issues: Umm Al Quwain citizens seek better salaries

From left, Fahid Al Mansoori, 33, Yousef Alhosani, 22, and Abdulla Al Ali, 22, in Umm Al Quwain want better pensions and infrastructure from FNC members. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

UMM AL QUWAIN // Salary levels and a lack of shopping centres, street lighting and petrol stations are concerns for many citizens of Umm Al Quwain.

A few more entertainment venues would not go astray, either.

Voters are strident in what improvements they want FNC candidates running in next month’s election to bring about, particularly for those who struggle with low salaries.

› 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.

“We ask for them to provide job opportunities for youngsters with high salaries because the salaries in government departments in the emirate are low, less than Dh10,000, and push us to work outside the emirate,” said Yousef Alhosani, 22, a soldier.

Fahid Al Mansoori, another soldier who retired early because of health problems, wanted a pension increase.

“We demand them to give the children of retirees a salary every month, exempt us from the housing loan and provide an association for retirees in UAQ,” said Mr Al Mansoori, 33.

“And we need to be provided with health insurance that we can use in all government and private health sectors, in addition to increasing the retirees’ salaries.”

Other residents are keen for the tourism industry in the emirate to be expanded, to provide jobs and better entertainment facilities.

“I ask them to develop the tourism and entertainment sectors through providing public parks, five-star hotels, malls and cinemas in UAQ as there are no cinemas and big malls, so we always have to go to Dubai or Ajman for entertainment and buying stuff that we need,” said Abdulla Al Ali, 22.

Mr Al Ali said that he wanted football pitches at local sports clubs and public playgrounds for children.

Khames Mubarak, an employee of the UAQ Education Zone, also wanted FNC candidates to campaign for more malls and restaurants.

“There are not many problems here but we just need more malls where everything is available, and restaurants,” said Mr Mubarak, 34.

Saif Khalifa said he enjoyed the relaxed nature of UAQ but believed the infrastructure needed to be improved and more private schools built.

“We suffer from the unavailability of private schools in the emirate,” said the soldier, 45. “There are just two and because of the lack of them, I have put the kids in private schools in Sharjah.

“As I am the children’s guardian, this issue is important for me. The infrastructure is weak and there is a lack of malls, street lighting and petrol stations – there are just two in the emirate.

“There is also a shortage in public services and entertainment.” ​