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In 2023, the Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD) witnessed four significant achievements that were pivotal in developing its work and defining the framework for each of its assigned tasks.
Among these were the issuance of Law No. 5 related to the organisation of the department, the issuance of Emiri Decree No. 14 by the Sharjah Executive Council concerning the supplementary grant for retirees in Sharjah, and two decisions: the first, Decision No. 12, which provides social support (400 dirhams) for electricity and water services for every citizen in Sharjah; and the second, Decision No. 28, regarding granting assistance to owners of homes affected by natural disasters in Sharjah.
The Need for Development and Sustainability:
SSSD’s Legal Department stated that the need for change is always driven by the necessity to keep up with the present and prepare for the future. This has become urgent in recent years for legal amendments and regulations, rather than having multiple decisions and decrees. It would be better to consolidate them into a single law that facilitates work, is easy to implement and apply, and aligns with changes in social patterns. This required updating the laws and the work within them for the benefit of citizens in Sharjah.
The department added that it currently bears responsibility for the damage and problems faced by citizens, aiming for welfare and a decent life. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, all obstacles are being removed through laws and decisions that embody His Highness’s efforts to achieve human value and ensure a prosperous life for citizens within a sustainable legal framework.
Importance of Laws, Decrees, and Decisions:
The department emphasised the importance of laws in governmental work, which regulate various aspects of life. Since the department protects a large segment of the community through health and social services and services from institutions and charitable organisations, the law provides a system applied by all employees and prevents personal or unilateral decisions, instead placing them within the proper framework. For example, the issuance of Law No. 5 of 2023 regarding the organisation of the Sharjah Social Services Department replaced Emiri Decree No. 9 of 1995, after 20 years since the establishment of the department. This change was necessary due to the significant expansion in the department’s services, which initially focused solely on social security for citizens and then on children of unknown parentage. Today, the department handles multiple services and responsibilities.
With the increase in services and various decisions from the Sharjah Executive Council, such as establishing emergency lines and Emiri decrees for setting up shelters and various centres and departments, a legal framework was needed to encompass them all. The new law categorises services into general competencies for the department, community cohesion and development, social protection and care, and general competencies that are usually unified across departments, such as policy formulation, legislative proposals, and consulting experts. It then defines the department’s specific competencies related to social care and protection, such as providing support, daycare for those without care, and implementing court rulings.
The law then addresses community cohesion and development and organising the social sector in Sharjah, including the regulation of charitable associations and public benefit institutions, as well as the training and licensing of workers in this field. It also includes provisions for developing voluntary work in the emirate. Additionally, the law addresses the administration and restructuring of the department, defines its financial resources, and grants judicial authority to the department’s employees, following approval by the Ministry of Justice and the assignment of executive decisions to the Sharjah Executive Council.
Executive Decisions:
In 2023, the Sharjah Executive Council issued three decisions: Decision No. 12 related to social support for electricity and water services, providing citizens with a 400-dirham community assistance grant, and reducing the burden on beneficiaries of social support. Additionally, Emiri Decree No. 2014 was issued to provide a supplementary grant for retirees in Sharjah, ensuring that retirement salaries are not less than 17,500 dirhams. Furthermore, Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. 28 was issued to provide assistance to owners of homes affected by natural disasters, including decrees, decisions, and laws. The department is responsible for addressing the issues faced by citizens, ensuring welfare and a decent life for the affected groups. It is also a financial burden on the Sharjah government, costing significant amounts, all in pursuit of the Sharjah Ruler’s goal of achieving human value and a prosperous life for citizens within a continuous legal framework.
