Struggling father to see Cabinet address his woes
An Emirati who was mocked on air after speaking of his struggle to live on Dh13,000 a month has been invited to attend a Cabinet meeting.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has asked Ali Al Mazrouei from Ras Al Khaimah to attend today’s meeting, which will review the Minister of Community Development’s plan to support low-income citizens.
It caps an incredible few days for the Emirati whose plight has captivated the country.
Mr Al Mazrouei, 56, spoke on Ajman Radio’s live programme
Al Rabia Wal Nas about his struggles to provide a decent home for his nine children.
He worked as a driver in RAK but had to retire for health reasons. He has diabetes and high blood pressure.
He spoke of the rising cost of living and how hard it is to live on Dh13,000 in health benefits.
“This was the first time that I decided to raise this issue because life was starting to close its doors in our faces. Instead of just worrying in vain every day I decided to take a proactive step,” Mr Al Mazrouei told
The National last week. After the radio jockey disputed his claims, he was suspended and Sheikh Mohammed
ordered authorities to provide him and his family with all of their needs within 24 hours.
Mr Al Mazrouei also met the Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi.
Yaqoub Al Awadhi, the Emirati presenter, said he was trying to protect the country’s reputation and did not mean any harm to Mr Al Mazrouei.
Last month, more than 400 homes were ordered to be built for Emirati families living in Al Dhafra by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s Representative in the region, to provide the families with decent living standards.
In February, Sheikh Mohammed approved a Dh7.2 billion housing plan for 7,270 homes to be delivered by 2021.
Last December, an increase in wages and a new minimum salary of Dh17,500 was announced by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, with Dh600 million allocated for the new pay structure and increased wages.
In November, the largest single new community in Abu Dhabi to date was announced. Housing 200,000 people, Riyadh City will be between southern Shamkha and North Al Wathba and comprise 45 per cent of the capital’s residential land.