Survey under way on poverty levels in UAE

from The Gulf News

By Zoi Constantine, Staff Reporter

Dubai: A wide-ranging survey on poverty in the UAE is set to be carried out by the Red Crescent and the Ministry of Economy, the humanitarian agency announced.

According to the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA), the survey is being initiated to determine poverty levels across the country and will include both UAE nationals and residents.

Ministry officials confirmed that the study will be carried out, but said the details are being determined, as it is still in the planning stages.

Needing help

"Measuring poverty is so important because it helps us determine who needs the most help," an RCA official told Gulf News. "We are particularly interested in looking closer at salaries, to help to determine minimum wages for UAE nationals as well as residents. Everyone will be included."

According to the RCA, the survey could take over a year, however further details concerning the scope of the survey and when it will commence, will be released soon.

So far, an initial meeting between the two bodies has taken place, and according to the RCA, a number of committees have been assigned to plan the survey.

"We are doing our best with the Ministry of Economy to finalise the details as quickly as possible. This will be a huge study and we hope that it will serve both vulnerable people and the government," the official said.

The RCA said that the data will be gathered by field researchers, who will inquire into the income and spending habits, education, profession and lifestyle of families and individuals.

The results will then be used to identify vulnerable families and individuals in need of humanitarian assistance.