MUSCAT: The Majlis Ash’shura on Monday hosted Her Excellency Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najar, Minister of Social Development, who delivered her ministry’s statement at the 12th regular meeting.
The council’s members requested the minister to speed up the finalisation of the Civil Societies Law and the regulation of voluntary work and refer them to the Council of Oman. Members also asked for expediting the declaration of a charitable association to help debtors who cannot repay loans.
The members also sought an increase in monthly pensions reimbursed to social security families and an expansion of the social security umbrella to encompass more segments such as the laid-off workers especially after the economic downturn and the ensuing rise in electricity and water bills.
The minister of social development emphasised that the building of the social protection systems in an integrated manner requires the development of smart governance mechanisms which ensure coordination and cooperation between ministries and other actors to provide these services in accordance with clear and specific procedures.
The ministry has sought, through the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), to devise an initiative for restructuring the social security system in building an integrated and effective system to ensure social protection for all members of the society, she added.
MERGER OF FUNDS
The minister said that the merger of pension funds in the Sultanate of Oman aims to restructure them and enhance their role in creating a social protection system which supports inter-generational solidarity and fairness and ensures their financial sustainability.
The statement said the ministry provides rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, including autism spectrum, mental disabilities and severely disabled people, in 31 government centres, in addition to 11 civil society centres and 37 private centres.
The minister said that the National Autism Centre and autism centres in Sur and Salalah will be opened during the year (2022-2023). In addition, the construction of Al Wafa Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in the Wilayat of Ibri, will be completed.
HELP DEBTORS
The minister said the formation of the Al Gharmeen Charity Association to help debtors who are unable to pay loans, will be announced soon.
She said that a series of meetings were held with the founding committee of the association that includes specialists from various competent authorities.
She said the Assistant Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman has responded about the Al Gharmeen Charity Association and work is under way to make an announcement soon. "Steps will be taken to prevent duplication with other associations working for the same cause."
UTILITY BILLS
The minister also said that the ministry is following up on the issue of high electricity and water prices for families registered under the National Subsidy System.
The departments affiliated with the ministry in the various governorates were directed to follow up on the situation of these families and help them register in the National Subsidy System for electricity and water.
"A large number of those eligible for subsidy did not register in the system and their numbers stood at 37,215'', she said.
CYCLONE RELIEF
The minister said that immediate aid was provided to those affected by Cyclone Shaheen, which covered 33,687 families who applied for financial assistance following damages to their homes and properties in Musannah, Al Suwaiq, Al Khabourah and Saham.
A total of RO 16,913,000 were disbursed to 16,913 families whose houses were fully damaged in the cyclone. Each family got RO 1,000. The transfer of funds started on October 8, 2021 and the last payment was made on January 12, 2022.
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