Sign in
A busy day for the cabinet:The cabinet approved a raft of decisions at its Monday meeting, including adopting the national biofuels strategy, a new structure for the Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry, mandatory private sector health ins., and additional benefits to passports, according to a statement. The meeting also saw the cabinet approve several international agreements and foreign policy decisions.
#1- Gov’t to double down on biofuel production: The cabinet is set to introduce regulations to oversee the production and deployment of biofuels in the UAE under a newly-approved national biofuels policy, designed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy sources and promote environmental protection. The policy will see the government adopt provisions to standardize and streamline biofuel production and trading.
#2- New private sector labor council: The cabinet greenlit a decision to restructure the Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry, including the establishment of the Coordinating Council for Labor Market to be responsible for reviewing federal and local legislation, laws, and decisions pertaining to private sector businesses and their workforce. The council is set to be chaired by the Human Resources and Emiratisation minister.
#3- Mandatory health ins. for private sector employees: Ministers also approved the establishment of a health ins. system for private sector and domestic employees who have no current ins. coverage. Employers will be required to pay the health ins. coverage for their employees upon the issuance or renewal of their residency permits. The decision will enter into effect on 1 January, 2025.
#4- Gov’t to ensure digital inclusivity: The cabinet greenlit the National Digital Accessibility Policy to facilitate access to digital products for the disabled and the elderly. The policy will see the state improve digital services by adopting AI and digital transactions.
ALSO APPROVED-
- The appointment of Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi as chairman of the UAE Space Agency;
- Appointing Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri as chair of the Emirates Tourism Council for three years;
- Updates to the Governance Guide for Boards of Directors in the Federal Government, setting out the roles and duties of the boards and their members, and their respective subcommittees;
- Waiving subscription fees to connect to the fire detection system, Hassantuk for Homes, for households receiving social assistance from the Community Development Ministry;
- Unspecified measures and penalties for Emiratisation violators who are registered in the Nafis program;
- Decisions on the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and fees in the federal courts;
- The charter for the Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat);
- Four updated technical regulations in the food, agriculture, and oil and gas sectors.
On the international relations front, the cabinet approved:
- Two international agreements of comprehensive economic partnership with the governments of Serbia and Georgia;
- An agreement with the Czech Republic to eliminate dual taxation on income tax and to prevent tax evasion;
- Three agreements with Vietnam on the extradition of criminals;
- The amendment to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development agreement on the removal of loans and financing restrictions;
- Establishing an embassy in Guatemala;
- Establishing a consulate general in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh.
