News

Formation of a government taskforce to establish a senior citizens’ fund

09-03-2020

Amman, September 3 (Petra) - Under the chairmanship of Social Development Ministry’s Secretary General Barq Dmour, the Prime Ministry’s Service, Infrastructure and Social Affairs Committee formed a government taskforce to study the establishment of a fund for the protection of older persons.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Social Development, a meeting was held this morning at the ministry headed by Al-Damour to study the formation of a fund for senior citizens along with the financial and administrative aspects associated with ; review "The sixties fund draft bylaw for the year 2017 ” prepared previously; and make recommendations thereof in preparation for its submission to the Prime Ministry’s Services, Infrastructure and Social Affairs Committee for consideration.

The approval of the fund and the taskforce formation are in line with the updated 2018-2022 national strategy for senior citizens and its implementation plan, which involves areas, measures and priorities aimed at safeguarding older persons in all circumstances, as well as their right to a decent life, the statement added.

The establishment of the fund by virtue of a bylaw aims to ensure its sustainability and the promotion of a positive aging for older persons by engaging and integrating them in the development process as key elements, investing their accumulated experiences and wisdom in all national development paths, and addressing the challenges facing them as a result of the Corona pandemic.

The taskforce included in its membership the Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance, the Secretary General of the National Council for Family Affairs, the Government Coordinator for Human Rights, the Assistant Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Development for Administration and Development, and the Director of the Family and Protection Directorate in the Ministry.

According to the statement, Head of the ministry’s Human Rights Department Shihab Amawi was appointed as the taskforce’s rapporteur.