Law urged to protect the elderly from abuse

A UAE official has called for a nationwide law to protect elderly people from the threat of abuse and negligence.

Plans for a binding federal law to protect the rights of older people in the country have been discussed for several years.

Speaking yesterday, on the International Day for Older Persons, Federal National Council member Azza Sulaiman from Dubai said he had been pushing for legislation to be brought in for more than a year.

Ms Sulaiman said a law to guide policy across all of the emirates was required to address concerns such as negligence at home and abuse at the hands of domestic workers.

“I questioned the then Minister of Community Development during a council session, and while she explained the ministry’s strategy at the time, there is yet to be a law,” she said.

The minister at the time, Najla Al Awar, told Ms Sulaiman that the law was under review.

Since then, the UAE has appointed a new Minister of Community Development, Hessa Buhumaid, and the law is still to be ratified.

“There are many cases of the elderly being abused and taken advantage of by domestic helpers,” Ms Sulaiman said.

“Without a law, these cases will only increase.

“Cases of blackmail have been reported by elderly people, especially those living on their own, accusing domestic workers of taking advantage of their health conditions.”

In the UAE, people are defined as being elderly after reaching the age of 60.

They receive a monthly income, discounted services and free health care from the government.