COUNCILLORS are to appeal again for more staff to cope with what they say is a growing workload.

Northern Municipal Council began with two staff members and now has 13, but most are part-time, with no job security, say members.

They want to increase the numbers to match the workload and also make staff full-time, with proper terms of employment.

There should also be specialised staff to deal with specific issues, such as the environment, says the council.

"There should be a structured workforce to support councillors and there are still important jobs that need to be done," said council chairman Yousif Al Boori.

"There are environmental issues that come to the council and that is where we need an environmentalist to go back to and help us."

Letter

Mr Al Boori said that the council had already sent a letter earlier to Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi, but without success and it has decided to write again to stress the importance of the matter.

"These staff members do not have stability because most of them are not permanent, although they do full-time job," he said.

"Municipal council members lack people to write reports and projects for them and so, they end up writing them themselves.

"The ministry's response to us is very negative and it is very embarrassing because more than half of the staff are working on temporary basis and they have every right to go after better jobs."

Mr Al Boori said that the employees' current situation could affect their personal lives, because they do not know what their future holds for them.

"It is unbelievable that a structured workforce has not been approved. The ministry has to take an interest in this matter. "There are associations next to us that have a workforce of more than 70." Mr Al Boori said the council would send another letter to Dr Al Ka'abi requesting a meeting.