Shura okays 2 draft laws on Social Insurance, Retirement

*Minimum pension QR 15,000; maximum QR 100,000

*Beneficiaries, including non-Qatari children, eligible to receive pension on the death of the pensioner *Social Insurance law applies to self-employed Qataris

*Women who resign after 20 years of service to take care of children with disabilities, eligible for full pension

*Widows to get 100% of the pension in the absence of beneficiaries

After extensive discussions, the Shura Council approved two draft laws regarding social insurance and military retirement which were prepared in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to build an effective social protection system for all Qataris and meet the aspirations of retirees and ensure a decent life for them.The Shura Council held on Monday its weekly meeting, under the chairmanship of HE the Speaker Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim.At the outset of the session, HE the Secretary-General of the Shura Council Dr Ahmed bin Nasser al-Fadhala read out the agenda of the session. The minutes of the previous session were approved.The council discussed two draft laws regarding social insurance and military retirement, in light of the report by the joint committee formed by Legal and Legislative Affairs and Financial and Economic Affairs Committees , the responses of the competent authorities to the inquiries and observations of members of the committee, and the consultations and coordination that took place with the government regarding them.After extensive discussions , the Shura Council approved the two draft laws that honour the sacrifices of the retirees.HE the Speaker praised the government's efforts in completing the two draft laws and referring them to the Shura Council.He said that the laws represent a qualitative leap and a major development in addressing the conditions of retired citizens.HE the Speaker said the laws are aimed at achieving the desired goals and objectives for the wellbeing of retired citizens, both civilians and military.The two draft laws approved included a number of improvements and amendments , the most prominent of which are: retirement pension shall not be less than QR15,000, while the two draft laws set the highest ceiling for pensions at QR100,000.The two draft laws also authorised the granting of exceptional retirement pensions to Qataris who are not eligible with the State bearing the costs.It is permissible to grant a periodic pension allowance by a decision of the Council of Ministers, which is a new feature for retirees related to the cost of living and the solvency of pension funds.The two draft laws also permit the granting of advances to pensioners, provided that the permit here is linked to the financial solvency of the fund. They also authorise payment of all amounts owed to the fund in installments, so that the insured could pay any obligations owed to the fund in monthly installments in order to facilitate and take into account the circumstances of the insured. In support of the private sector, according to the draft Social Insurance Law, it is permissible for the State's public treasury, with the Cabinet's approval and in accordance with the controls it determines, to bear a contribution percentage determined for the employer from the private sector.The two draft laws also regulate the issue of transferring the right to the pension to the beneficiaries when the pensioner dies. Among the beneficiaries are non-Qatari children.Under the draft, the "Social Insurance" law voluntarily applies to Qataris working for themselves, with the aim of giving protection to them and their families, and stipulates that the pensions due may be paid without being restricted to the employee's or worker's registration, provided that the relationship between the insured and the employer is proven, with the aim of protecting the employee or worker.Among the other advantages, the two draft laws stipulated the possibility of combining more than one pension or salary, not exceeding QR100,000. They also stipulated a reward for the pensioner for the subscription period of more than 30 years, and this reward will be in addition to the reward that the employee will receive in accordance with the Civil Human Resources Law.As a new advantage not found in other laws, the two draft laws stipulate eligibility to retain the pension without reduction in the event that the insured woman resigns to care for her children with disabilities, provided that she served for 20 years.In order to preserve the rights of the employee, the two draft laws also stipulate that the insured, who does not meet the conditions for the pension, will be given a one-time compensation, so that the insured's contributions and the returns on his or her investment are refunded in accordance with the conditions in the two draft laws.The two draft laws stipulated that the widow gets 100% of the pension in the absence of beneficiaries, in order to help her with the burdens of life and support her children.The Military Retirement draft law also stipulated adding a specialisation allowance that does not exceed QR5,000 to the subscription account base, in addition to housing allowance. Meanwhile, the draft Social Insurance Law stipulated adding the social allowance and housing allowance to the subscription account base.The draft Social Insurance law excluded those who reached the age of 60 and were entitled to a pension, in accordance with the provisions of Law No 24 of 2002 on Retirement and Pensions, from the contribution period stipulated in the draft law. Thus, their pension would be settled in accordance with the regulations set by the draft.The draft law also stipulated an increase in the average pensions of the insured in the private sector by calculating the pension on the basis of the average salary of the last three years instead of five years as in the current law, in order to ensure the highest average retirement pension for the employee.As for national service conscripts who do not hold civilian jobs, the Military Retirement draft law stipulates that they receive insurance protection during the national service, in the event of death or disability.Regarding other items on the agenda, HE the Speaker briefed the Council on the meeting he held with the Chair and members of the All-Party Parliamentary British-Qatar Group.He stated that the meeting reviewed the existing parliamentary cooperation relations between Qatar and the United Kingdom and ways to enhance them, adding that they discussed ways to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations between parliamentary friendship groups in the Shura Council and its counterpart in the United Kingdom.HE the Speaker stressed that such meetings contribute to strengthening parliamentary co-operation relations between the Shura Council and its counterparts from brotherly and friendly countries and work to enhance the exchange of expertise and experience.