Muscat: Majlis Al Shura reviewed many of the ministerial replies, including replies from the Minister of Higher Education regarding admission criteria for students at education colleges, the briefing given on the schools’ physical environment during the eighth Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) and school density, in addition to the reply of the Minister of Manpower on vocational rehabilitation for people with special needs.
It also discussed the reply of the Minister of Housing and the letter on compensation of the agricultural land affected by the Al Batinah Expressway, the reply of the Minister of Commerce and Industry on actions taken to facilitate the services provided to small and medium enterprises, as well as the reply of the Minister of Tourism to creating tourism projects in residential areas.
The meeting discussed a number of requests by some members of the Majlis Al Shura, including a request by the Minister of Manpower on Omanisation rates in new projects, request of the Board Chairman of the National Transport Company on some appointments in the company, as well as a proposed law on the addition of a new specialisation to the Sports Activities Support Fund, and a proposal to amend the Labour Law with respect to absconding domestic workers.
The meeting reviewed several incoming letters, including developing a legal article that allows retirees to borrow from the bank, a letter on holding a dialogue between Majlis Al Shura and some of the bodies that deal with housing planning, a letter about agricultural products and the expat labour force, in addition to reviewing real estate ownership for the expat labour force in the Sultanate, which has been subjected for further study and a request to legalise the export of green fodder.
In external affairs, the meeting reviewed the invitation of the International Forum and the Jordanian Council of Representatives to participate in the World Summit/Women in Parliament to be held in Jordan on May 4 and 5. The meeting also reviewed the invitation from the President of the Arab Parliamentary Union to attend the XIV Afro-Arab Parliamentary Conference to be held on the Ivory Coast on May 4 and 5.
The meeting also reviewed the report of the delegation, which participated in the 22nd meeting of the Executive Committee of the Union of Arab Parliamentarians Scout held today in Kuwait and which lasted for two days.
Majlis Al Shura office held its 16th regular meeting of the first annual sitting (2015-2016) of the 8th term, headed by Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi, deputy chairman of Majlis Al Shura. -ONA