Gulf News

Dubai, Jul 3: The federal government announcement that up to 10,000 expatriate secretaries in the UAE will be replaced by UAE nationals, has provoked concern among many foreigners currently in secretarial positions.

According to Ministry of Labour officials, up to half of the expatriate secretarial workforce could be made redundant, with the ministry earmarking these positions for nationals. The process is aimed at creating jobs for unemployed nationals.

However, with 10,000 positions on the line, many expatriate secretaries say that while they understand the rationale behind the initiative, they feel vulnerable and concerned about their future.

"Of course, we are worried about losing our jobs here," said a Dubai-based secretary who wished to be identified only as Mary.

"I certainly do not blame the government for allocating more jobs for citizens. But at the same time, I feel as though I have contributed to the development of my company and I do not want to leave the country when I moved here especially to work."

An Indian secretary, identifying herself as Murial, says that she feels concerned about her position within the hotel industry, which she has held for nearly two years. "I definitely feel very vulnerable," she said. "But, I have to just tell myself, 'whatever happens, happens'.

As workers in a foreign country, we don't really have any choice in the matter. I would be disappointed if I had to leave, but I have been dealt quite a few hard knocks in my life, that I know I would find other opportunities elsewhere."

Others are equally philosophical about the situation, saying that the country's laws and regulations must be respected.

"I have no idea what is going to happen and I am certainly worried, because I came here just to work," said Amy, a secretary for a company in the industrial sector. "However, if it is God's will, then I will just go back to my home country. We must respect the government and understand that national employees have to be given priority."

However, some secretaries said their employers have indicated their intention to move them into different positions when the change is enforced, rather than dismiss them altogether.

Lot, a Filipino secretary who works for an international company, indicated that she is not concerned about the new regulations, saying that she is confident she will not be "deserted" by her employer.

"I have worked for the company for three years and my boss is not going to just abandon me," she told Gulf News

Paid Parking Tickets ay be used Anywhere in Dubai
Gulf News Report

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) decision allowing paid parking tickets to be used anywhere in Dubai if it is valid for the remaining period will benefit motorists.

"A parking ticket purchased from a parking metre in one area can be used in another paid parking area for the remaining time if the parking fee for the other area is the same," said Sultan Al Kutbi, Assistant Director at the Parking Department of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

He said motorists do not have to buy parking tickets to park their car in another paid parking area if they have time remaining on the tickets.

The parking fees charged in various areas of the city range from Dh1 to Dh2 per hour.

"A ticket purchased for Dh1 can only be used in the same category area, but a ticket purchased for Dh2 can be used in any paid parking area," said Al Kutbi.

He said the facility would benefit motorists who sometimes use their parking tickets for less than an hour and then go to another area.

Now they will be able to use the ticket for its remaining time.

Motorists have welcomed the move. "It is a good decision as it will help us save some money," said M. Mujahid, a delivery van driver.

Karim Malek, a salesman, said it would be wonderful to have this facility because he spends a lot of time on roads and has to buy a new parking ticket whenever he moves from one place to another.

According to the RTA statistics, motorists paid Dh177 million as parking fines in 2005 an average of Dh48,493 per day.

The controlled parking system has grown significantly since its establishment in 1995, with 39,000 parking spaces by the end of 2005 compared to 2,200 at the time it was introduced.

The number of paid parking users has increased drastically to 32 million last year compared to 950,000 in 1995.

The RTA plans to increase paid parking spaces to 48,000 by September this year.

An official at the RTA said that parking inspectors are authorised to issue parking fines even on holidays in cases of illegal parking.

A team of inspectors is always on the move to issue fines to motorists who park their cars illegally in the paid parking zone.

Illegal acts include parking of vehicles in parking spaces reserved for the disabled, bus-bays, yellow boxes, loading and unloading areas, footpaths or walkways.

If the parked vehicle causes disruption in the public parking area, vehicle movement or endangers the lives of drivers, then they are treated as offences. Double-parking is also an offence. Illegal parking results in a fine of Dh200.

No parking fines are issued for correct parking in paid parking zones on public holidays.