Pension benefits raised - Oman Daily Observer

Grand Mufti honours outstanding
performers of religious cadres
MUSCAT — His Eminence
Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad
al Khalili, the Sultanate’s
Grand Mufti today patronised
over the celebration
organised at the Sharia Institute
Auditorium in the
Wilayat of Baushar to honour
outstanding performers
of the religious cadres at the
Awqaf and Religious Affairs
Ministry.
The celebration was attended
by Shaikh Abdullah
bin Mohammed al Salmi,
4 OMAN
OMAN DAILY Observer
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011
MoH to draft public health emergency guidelines
By Maryam Khalfan
MUSCAT — The Ministry of Health
(MoH) plans to draft Public Health
Emergency Management (PHEM)
preparedness guidelines at regional
and wilayats level, stated Dr Salim
bin Said al Wuhaibi, Director of
Hazards & Environmental Health at
the concluding ceremony of the 1st
National Course on PHEM at the
Platinum Hotel yesterday.
“The ministry will develop standard
framework of operating procedures
and guidelines for PHEM. The
ministry will also co-ordinate and
collaborate mechanisms for stake
holders at the wilayat and regional
levels to utilise the resources available
to develop tools for risk assessment
and management”, Al Wuhaibi
told the Observer.
The occurrence of the recent climatic
condition of cyclones and the
incident of the H1N1 epidemic were
of great experience and an eye opener
for the Sultanate to set forth a PHEM
preparedness scheme in management
of emergencies in the future, said Al
Wuhaibi, in his speech on the occasion.
The event was graced by Dr Mohammed
bin Saif al Hosni, Under-
Secretary for Health Affairs and in
presence of Dr Jihan Tawila, Representative
of the World Health Organisation
(WHO) among other officials.
The course was organised by the
MoH in partnership with collaborative
efforts of the WHO and the
European Union to address all sorts
of hazards in bio-safety and biosecurity
public health preparedness
By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT — Brazilian aircraft
manufacturer Embraer announced
yesterday that it had
delivered the first Embraer
175 jet to Oman Air, at the
former’s headquarters in Sao
José dos Campos.
The aircraft will serve the
airline’s regional routes operating
from Muscat International
Airport. The deal was originally
announced in November
2009 and includes firm orders
for five Embraer 175s, plus options
for another five aircraft.
“Defining itself as a ‘boutique
airline’ in the Gulf area,
Oman Air offers its customers
outstanding service in a highly
demanding market,” said
Paulo César de Souza e Silva,
Embraer Executive Vice-Pres-
Awqaf and Religious Affairs
Minister, Ahmed bin Saud al
Siyabi, Secretary-General of
the Ifata Office and a number
of officials.
His Eminence Shaikh
Ahmed bin Hamad al Khalili,
the Sultanate’s Grand Mufti
delivered a speech where he
said that it is a good opportunity
to honour the outstanding
performers of the Awqaf and
Religious Affairs Ministry
and its affiliated directorates.
‘No doubt that people should
and response. The course is also considered
a significant and unique kind
of project, which will possibly serve
as a model to other countries around
the world based on the Sultanate’s
experience in management of the
previous climatic conditions of the
cyclones Gonu and Phet.
As a result of the two-week comprehensive
course, the recommendations
of called for the need to develop
participatory and evidence based response
plan in health sector in pursuit
of national emergency management
plan with optimal policy support.
Suggestions also called for establishment
of a dedicated unit within
ident, Airline Market. “Their
decision for the Embraer 175
makes us truly proud, since it
gives a strong endorsement to
our E-Jets in such a complex
marketplace.”
Oman Air’s Embraer 175s
are configured with 71 seats,
in a dual-class layout, with 11
seats in the business class and
60 in economy.
“The E-Jets are the ideal
platform from which we can
expand our regional route
network and better align frequency
with demand,” said
Peter Hill, CEO of Oman Air.
“Having this flexibility allows
us to introduce more point-topoint
routes currently not sustainable
with larger aircraft, as
well as upgrading our services
to domestic destinations like
Khasab and other new airports
currently being devel-
compete in doing deeds. People
should compete in doing
well so that they will be well
rewarded in the Day of Judgement,
he added.
After the speech, His
Eminence Shaikh Ahmed bin
Hamad al Khalili, the Sultanate’s
Grand Mufti honoured
280 outstanding performers
of the religious cadres at the
Awqaf and Religious Affairs
Ministry and its affiliated directorates.
— ONA
Improvements to social insurance
to workers reflect HM’s care
MUSCAT — Shaikh Abdulla bin Nassir al Bakri,
Minister of Manpower, has said royal orders to
make improvements to social insurance entitlements
to workers in the private sector reflect His
Majesty the Sultan’s care for human resources, a
major contributor to the Omani economy.
He said the improvements to the insurance
benefits are a pioneering step made by His Majesty
to bring closer pensions in the public and
private sectors.
He said the royal orders stipulate the government
shall bear the additional cost of the improvements
by increasing the government share
in monthly contributions to the scheme from 2
per cent to 5 per cent per month and this makes
the government shares stand at 20 million Omani
rials annually.
Salim bin Nassir al Uraimi, Director-General
of the Public Authority for Social Insurance, said
two groups will benefit from the improvements .
The retirees will have increases in their pensions
at various rates from 5 per cent and up to
50 per cent. These are the same rates applied to
retirees and pensioners registered with the civil
service employees pension fund and as follows;
For less than 200 riyals the increase rate is
50 per cent, 200 to less than 400, 40 per cent,
400 to less than 600, 30 per cent, 600 to less than
1,000, 15 per cent and above 1,000, 5per cent.
The minimum entitled pension after the increase
in each category shall not be less than the maxi-
mum entitled pension in the lower category, and
the increases will be added to the pensions to be
paid in March 2011.
The second group of beneficiaries will be
those ensured who are entitled to pensions or end
of service benefits when they reach the legal age
and some cases of disability who will be paid end
of service benefits when entitled;
Those entitled to payment of old age pension
when they reach age of sixty for males and
fifty five for females.
Those entitled to pension of non-occupational
disability.
Those entitled to payment of pension of full
disability for non-occupational cause.
Those entitled to payment of pension of occupational
and non-occupational death.
Those entitled to payment of end of service
benefits for cases not meeting entitlement for
death pension.
Those entitled to payment of end of service
benefits for cases not meeting entitlement for
non-occupational pension.
Those entitled to payment of end of service
benefits for cases not meeting entitlement for old
age pension when reaching sixty for males and
fifty five for females.
Al Uraimi said, accordingly, the minimum
pension will increase for those entitled from
RO 100 to RO 150 a month with effect from April
1 this year. — ONA
the MoH to enhance co-ordination
with other sectors with all hazard approach.
This will help in monitoring
the progress following the course, declared
Dr Thamra bint Said al Ghafri,
Course Director, MoH.
Other suggestions called for the
need to conduct the course annually,
preferably in Arabic for greater
coverage and to integrate the basic
modules of the course in to the
mainstream medical education in
the country.
Proposals also recommended the
need to involve all trainees as part
of the networking dedicated to contribute
in health emergency manage-
Al Kalbani receives Russian media team
MUSCAT — Shaikh Mohammed bin Said
al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development,
received yesterday a Russian media delegation
representing Russia Today TV and
Voice of Russia Radio.
The visit reflects an interest by the Russian
media in Omani renaissance and the related
recent reforms in political, economic
and social arenas.
The minister praised the quality of reporting
about economy, social aspect and
tourism in the Sultanate by the Russian media
which, he said, reflect the strong ties
ment in the Sultanate.
Dr Jihan Tawila, WHO representative
stressed on the great concern
to structure and establish the
framework and to present it to the
stake holders to achieve the objectives
of developing a professional
network on PHEM.
She commended the ministry’s
unconditional support to the process
of capacity building in the area
of PHEM and the collaborative and
positive competence of the team of
partners with whom the WHO has
linked to establish this course.
“The WHO was privileged for
past year to work hand in hand with
oped within the Sultanate of
Oman.”
Oman Air also signed the
Embraer Pool Flight Hour
Programme service contract.
Embraer’s Pool programme
quickly provides replacement
parts and eliminates the need
for inventory investments, via
an agreement in which the
customer pays a given amount,
based on the number of flight
hours of the aircraft enrolled
in the programme. Embraer
assumes the responsibility for
maintaining a parts inventory
at its distribution and service
centres, in order to provide
parts to operators as soon as
they are requested.
Embraer’s E-Jets are a
state-of-the-art family of four
aircraft, seating from 70 to
122 passengers, which began
deliveries in 2004. E-Jets
between the two countries.
He said reform in the Sultanate is an ongoing
process. The minister said the role of civil
society which will get enhanced in political,
economic and social aspects and his ministry
will give that a priority by communicating
with non-governmental organisations.
He said the sit-ins by the youth were
peaceful and their demands received favourable
and immediate responses and enjoyed
support of all sections of the society. He said
there are other issues that need time and patience
to be resolved. — ONA
THE events of the third day races continued yesterday at the Royal Camel Corps
Race Track in Al Fulaij by organising six rounds, two of them for ‘Al-Thanaya’,
two for ‘Al-Houl’ and two for ‘Rakhd Al-Ardha Long’. — ONA
the ministry under the EU project
to establish some building blocks
for a more co-ordination and preparedness
action contrary to the unexpected
in PHEM. In this context,
preparedness is the key to PHEM
in spite of the fact that hazards are
not preventable but ‘people’s vulnerability
and impact of the hazards
are’ ”, she noted.
The WHO is ready to provide
technical assistance and to conduct
courses on more systematic outlaying
investigations and management
of an outbreak of infectious diseases
and other diseases that can affect
public health in event of unforeseen
emergencies.
Dr Qudsiya Huda Course Facilitator,
WHO, Regional Office —
EMRO, Emergency Preparedness
& Humanitarian Action Programme
said: “The course was impressive.
The process has started to build capacity
for PHEM and it is vital for
the ministry to have a dedicated cell
within the MoH to co-ordinate with
other partners to enhance PHEM
in the Sultanate in a more optimal
way. The Sultanate is blessed with a
strong political commitment, so the
ministry should work on solidifying
an institutionalised approach within
the ministry, she remarked.
The two weeks course was aimed
at rising knowledge and competencies
on emergency management and
planning and to advocate on issues
related to emergency management.
It was also designed at sharing
knowledge and experience as well
as to develop a professional network
on PHEM.
Oman Air takes delivery of first Embraer 175 jet
have achieved outstanding
success, with nearly 950 firm
orders logged and more than
700 aircraft already delivered,
worldwide, including nearly
50 in the Middle East. E-Jets
orders are spread among 58
customers and 39 countries on
five continents and have accumulated
more than 5 million
flight hours.
This proven family is
helping airlines to rightsize
low load factor narrow-body
routes, substituting traditional
regional jets, replacing older,
inefficient airplanes and is
used to develop new markets.
The E-Jets main characteristics
are: low fuel burn, noise levels
and operating costs, as well
as higher operational flexibility,
efficiency and outstanding
comfort.
Officials appointed,
judges promoted
From page 1
Royal Decree No 48/2011
approves the oil concession
agreement between the government
of the Sultanate of
Oman and Rex Oil and Gas
Ltd company and Petroci
Holding company for the offshore
block 50 signed on February
28, 2011.
Royal Decree No 49/2011
ratifies the agreement between
the government of the Sultanate
of Oman and the government
of Vietnam on encouraging
and mutual protection
Charity brunch in aid of
Japanese quake victims
MUSCAT — Yoshiko Morimoto,
wife of the Ambassador
of Japan to the Sultanate
of Oman, will host a ‘Charity
Brunch’ for women on Sunday,
March 27, 2011 from
11am to 4pm, at the residence
of the Ambassador of
Japan.
The Charity Brunch has
been organised as a gesture
of gratitude to all those who
had sent messages of condolences
and extended other
forms of support in aid of the
victims of the recent earthquake
and tsunami in Japan.
In a gesture of solidarity
with Japan during its present
time of national grief, the
wives of ambassadors representing
some 20 countries
accredited to the Sultanate
are each contributing dishes
MUSCAT — Sohar Aluminium
handed over a cheque
in the amount of RO 2,000
to the office of the Wali of
Al Suwaiq as a contribution
towards the eradication of
illiteracy in Oman’s project
initiated by the Ministry of
Education targeting adult illiteracy
in Batinah Region.
Sohar Aluminium strongly
believes that education in
Oman is the right of each individual
and is proud to sup-
representing their respective
national cuisines towards the
brunch buffet.
Meanwhile, the Embassy
of Japan has opened
a bank account (No
01/04/103654/001) in the
name of ‘Friends of Japan’
at the MBD branch of
BankDhofar, contributions
towards which are earmarked
for the victims and survivors
of the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake.
Donations made to
this account will be remitted
by the embassy to a special
account of the Japanese Red
Cross established in aid of
the quake relief effort. The
opening of the Special Donation
Account in Muscat
has been supported by the
Oman-Japan Friendship Association.
Sohar Aluminium supports
illiteracy eradication
By Abdulaziz al Jahdhami
MUSCAT — Al Sahwa
Schools organised parentsteachers
gathering at the
school yesterday. The school
is committed to providing a
high quality international education
for its students while
embracing traditional values
based on the foundations of
Oman’s cultural inheritance.
As the event coincided
with the Mother’s Day, the
parents-teachers get-together
was organised for students’
mothers only. The event aims
to involve students’ parents
in the educational process at
the schools and participate
in decision-making. Such
events play a very active role
in strengthening relations and
communications between the
school’s teachers and parents.
The gathering was inaugurated
by a speech by Simon
Head, Principal of Al Sahwa
of investment signed in Hanoi
on January 10, 2011.
Royal Decree No 50/2011
ratifies the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between
the government of the
Sultanate of Oman and the
government of the UK on the
mutual exemption of visas
for holders of the diplomatic
and special passports signed
in Muscat on November 26,
2010.
All decrees came into
force from their date of issue.
— ONA
port this worthy programme
in the wilayats of Sohar, Al
Khabourah and Suwaiq. This
initiative also reflects the
magnitude of commitment
Sohar Aluminium maintains
towards supporting Education
in the Al Batinah Region.
Present at the ceremony
was Shaikh Abdullah al
Buraiki, Deputy Wali and
Saoud al Ishaqi, Corporate
Responsibility Officer at
Sohar Aluminium.
Al Sahwa Schools organises
parents-teachers meet
Schools. He highlighted the
significance of such events
that bring together students’
parents and school teachers.
He also shed light on the vital
role of co-operation between
the school and parents to
support students to excel in
their studies. The principal
praised the parents’ support
to Al Sahwa Schools. He also
affirmed that the school ensures
a secure learning environment.
The agenda of the gathering
included a lecture on
“The Effective Ways to Deal
with Children” delivered by
Aisha al Harthiya, (pictured)
Director of Happy Family
Centre for Consultations. The
lecture was conducted in the
form of an interactive talk
and discussion between the
speaker and the attendees.
She enlightened mothers on
some useful techniques and
methods that help in bringing
up children.