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Factbooks and Maps / Re: The Emirate of Rayyu
« on: October 10, 2021, 02:53:41 PM »THE OIL STIPEND SCHEME (OSS)
With reserves of oil and natural gas and a small population the Emirate found itself with a significant amount of cash reserves. A succession of Emir's invested this money in a variety of national programmes to give good wages to public sector workers which are well paid. In addition a significant amount of money was invested carefully in foreign businesses meaning that on top of oil and gas exports today making the nation wealthy. With it expected that Zakat is given out by Muslim's to help the less well off this has seen royals take the view that they must do likewise. As such the OSS has set up several schemes that help citizens.
1. Free Land - As a marriage gift all couples are allocated 1100m2 of land on which they can build a small house. They are free to sell this land and this is common as land is allocated in pockets. So for example everyone marrying in say October 2021 will be allocated land together. Property developers will often buy the pockets and develop neighbourhoods. This effectively gives the newly-weds a chance to make money.
2. Marriage Bonus - A year after marriage a couple are given the equivalent of $2,000. If the couple have either had or are expecting a child then this is increased to $3,500
3. Child Credit - Upon the birth of a child $1,000 worth of shares are purchased by the Rayyu Investment Bank for the child. Upon their 18th birthday these shares are handed over and can either be kept or sold.
4. Rayyu Scholarship - Any citizen wishing to go to University can do so free of charge. Should they wish to travel abroad and study they are granted $10,000 a year to help fund their studies
5. Birthday Credit - Each year on their birthday every citizen, living in Rayyu, is given a $1,500 pre-paid credit card. This can only be spent in certain places that are thought to help boost the local economy.
6. Citizens Allowance - Every month a citizen living in Rayyu with a full time job is paid $100 from the government.
7. Utilities Grant - 40% of all married couples electric, heating and water bills are paid by the government.
8. Quran Scholarship Bonus - All children between the ages of five and 12 can be registered for a programme where they attend classes on studying the Quran. Should a student attend 30 sessions in the year they are given $500. This means at the age of 12 a child can have $4,000 put into a bank account they can access when they turn 18 or with their parents permission.
In addition to the above health care is free as is education. Things such as public transport are also heavily subsidised.