NATIONALS BETWEEN 18-30 YEARS TO SERVE IN NATIONAL AND RESERVE FORCES
ABU DHABI, Jan 20 — The UAE Cabinet has endorsed a draft federal law on compulsory national and reserve service ahead of submitting it to the National Federal Council (FNC).
The move follows the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The draft law was endorsed during the Cabinet session held on Sunday at the Presidential Palace and chaired by the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Mohammed hailed the directives of the UAE President on protection of the country, its independence and its sovereignty and participation in its comprehensive development being a sacred duty for all Emiratis to safeguard the gains made from the inception of the Union up until now.
“National service implants the values of allegiance, loyalty, discipline and sacrifice among youth to serve the country at best,” he said, urging them “my sons, daughters, you have a huge responsibility to preserve these achievements. You are protectors of the present and future. We support you.”
In accordance with the provisions of the draft law, compulsory national service will be for all males between the ages of 18 and 30.
The length of service is set to be two years for those who do not complete high school, and nine months for those who have graduated from high school. National service is optional for women.
Emiratis in the group aged 18-30 working in local, or federal public institutions, and in the private sector, will join the service in accordance with the provisions of the draft national service law.
Those recruited will have their service duration counted at their places of work for the purpose of end of service dues, pension and others.
Cabinet meeting was also attended by Lt. General Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.–Wam