NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts UAE Dailies
Four arrested for running forged passport racket
AJMAN — March 12: Four Somalis were arrested as Ajman Police busted a gang dealing in forged passports and other documents like marriage certificates.
The gang was charging between Dh3,000 and Dh5,000 for arranging the passports and other documents of some African countries, including Somalia.
The accused, identified as L. A. (32), M. (41), M.l and K. H (35), used to procure the visa permits, on demand, on fake names.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Major Abdullah Saif, head of the Investigation Section at Ajman Police, said they had got a tip-off about the gang, after which they had started working to nab them.
The police laid a trap by sending some women to the gang asking to arrange for fake passports. The police team then raided an apartment in Al Karama area, and nabbed the gang members red-handed.
The police have confiscated many papers used by the gang in committing forgeries.
During the raid on the apartment, the police also nabbed eight women who did not have any IDs or documents with them.
During interrogation, the gang members, who were all in possession of valid residence visas, confessed to forging a large number of passports, particularly of women, who intended to enter the country an fake passports from countries like Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution.
Major Saif told Khaleej Times that this was the second Somalian gang nabbed for forging documents in the last two years. The first such gang, arrested last year, comprised four Somalians who were involved in erasing original entries in passports, and inscribing other names and personal information.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Couple Accused - Raffle Controversy
Dubai - March 12: A couple who put their housemaid’s name on a raffle ticket and then won a car are facing trial after the woman accused them of cheating her out of the prize. Dubai Public Prosecution charged the Indian couple with breach of trust for taking the Lexus car, which was worth dhs397,000, after a ticket with the Indian housemaid’s name came out the winner in a draw during the 2004 Dubai Shopping Festival.
The 58-year-old investor identified in Dubai Court of First Instance only as JS, and his wife, a 48-year-old doctor identified as FS, said they had previously had terrible luck when entering such draws and never won a prize, despite buying many tickets during Dubai Shopping Festivals. When they went to the Global Village in 2004, they decided to buy a dhs200 ticket and put their housemaid’s name on it, hoping for better luck.
It worked, and they won car. The housemaid received the cheque from DSF officials and gave the money to her employers because they had purchased the ticket. The couple gave her dhs81,000 from the money as her share of the prize and she left the country. But she returned last year and went to the police to complain that her employers had cheated her out of the rest of her winnings.
Despite the fact they purchased the ticket and gave the maid a substantial sum, legal consultant Hani Hamoda of Bin Haider Advocate and Legal Consultants told 7DAYS that the couple might actually face jail if they are found guilty in this case. “Usually a breaching the trust conviction sees the defendant sent to jail for anything between one day and three years.
“The convicted can also be deported if they are not a UAE national, but it’s up to the judge to decide, or he can fine them the maximum dhs10,000” he said, adding that if the couple are found guilty in the criminal court, then the housemaid can raise a civil case against the suspects to demand the rest of the money from the car’s value.
“She can demand the total amount because the money should go to the person who won the raffle,” he said. The trial has been adjourned until later this month when a verdict will be issued.
SEVEN DAYS
DUBAI - British boss arrested
DUBAI - March 12: A British company owner has been arrested trying to leave the country despite facing pending court proceedings. The man, who has not been identified, was arrested in connection with attempting to illegally import 391 tonnes of waste material into the UAE. According to officials in Ajman, 25 containers of waste, comprising of rubbish and plastic, were seized as they were to be recycled in the UAE.
The country forbids the recycling of foreign waste materials unless they have been created in the UAE. The company owner has been referred to the Public Prosecution. The company had already been fined dhs50,000 for the offence before the owner was arrested.
SEVEN DAYS
Civil Aviation Department to target talented nationals at upcoming career exhibition
DUBAI - March 12: The aviation sector is all set to introduce many job opportunities for nationals at the 7th Annual Careers UAE Exhibition which will held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from March 13 to 15.
The Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and Dubai Duty Free will put up stands to attract talented UAE nationals to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers from top employers.
Airlines companies are also setting up stands at the three-day annual career fair to give out information to nationals inclined to join the travel industry.
The exhibition is organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre, in co-operation with TANMIA, Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP), Higher Colleges of Technologies, the Zayed University and the UAE University.
The DCA partners will offer UAE national job seekers the profile of the department, information on the nature, scope and magnitude of its operations, recruitment and HR policies, training and career opportunities, and future prospects. Towards this end, the department will have a bigger presence in the exhibition with a massive 200-square metre stand, which will be manned by employees from its various directorates. Like every year, the department expects overwhelming response from jobseekers. DCA’s is heading towards a massive extension plan later this year.
The event provided a platform to the DCA to reach out to prospective UAE national employees by apprising them of the career opportunities in the dynamic world of aviation, which in the UAE is developing rapidly, said Thani Bin Jarsh, Director of Human Resources and Development Directorate at DCA.
The Emirates Group, which consists of the world’s fastest-growing intercontinental airline, Emirates, and the largest travel management services company in the UAE, Dnata, will be promoting its ‘Employer of Choice’. Emirates has been participating at the annual Careers Fair since 2000 in response to the government’s call to the private sector to take the lead in providing more career opportunities to UAE nationals.
The Emirates team is putting final touches to its massive 144-square-metre stand, with large seating areas for making inquiries and filing applications, will house representatives from the company’s National Recruitment and Development department, Dnata Airport Services, Emirates Holidays, Mercator, Emirates’ Commercial Operations, together with Emirati pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
The contingent will be available to discuss career development. Female Emiratis will also get the chance to meet with the company’s professionals at exclusive female-only sessions on March 14 and 15 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Nationals will get opportunities to enroll in several training programmes including training for pilots, cabin crew, flight engineers, flight dispatchers, IT graduates and in vital skills like conversing in English language, office administration, and sales and marketing.
The Emirates stand is also being fitted with kiosks to enable interested Emiratis to apply online, on the spot. Abdulaziz Al Ali, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Human Resources said, “The Emirates Group is committed to the recruitment, development, progression and retention of young UAE men and women.”
EVENING POST
Striking workers not happy with company’s offer
Workers protest outside their Sonapur camp.
The company has agreed to increase their salary by Dh 2 per day
DUBAI - March 12: About 3500 Asian workers in Sonapur and 2800 workers at Al Quoz, of a Dubai-based contracting company, marched out of their labour camps early this morning to demand an increase in salary and airfare for their annual leave.
Members of the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs as well as Dubai police were present to intervene and bring the situation under control.
Brig. Abdul Mohammed, Deputy Director, Department of Punitive Security, said, “The workers came out of their rooms and marched onto the streets, shouting slogans. There are about 120 workers who are inciting all the other workers. Striking is illegal. They should address their grievances peacefully.”
The workers demanded that their salary be increased by at least Dh 250 to 400. They are currently being paid Dh 550-600 per month.
Abdullah bin Suloum, Head of the Inspections Unit, of the Ministry of Labour and member of the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs, said, “We have been negotiating with the workers for the last two days now. The company has agreed to increase their salary by Dh 2 per day.”
However, workers say this increase is not sufficient. “Dh 60 a month is not enough. Some of the workers have not got a raise for years together,” said one worker. Another worker, who has been with the company for two years, said, “They give us leave once in two years for six months, but no airfare. Now they have agreed to pay for the air ticket, but the leave has been reduced to 60 days.”
A. Hakim Al Bannay, General Manager, HR and Corporate Affairs of the company, said, “As per the law, contracts are renewed every three years and we do increase the salary of our workers, sometimes even after one year. Some have joined only three to four months back. We have agreed to increase their salary. We will also pay for their air ticket once in two years as per the law. Bin Sulom said, “The company has agreed to increase the workers’ salary by Dh 2 per day. They should either accept this or go back home.”
EVENING POST
Warning issued against venturing into sea today
ABU DHABI — March 12: The Meteorological Authority in Abu Dhabi has warned people against venturing into the sea today at noon as sea waves are expected to rise up to three metres, causing turbulence.
Fishing is not advised during daytime, officials said. The situation may improve by the end of the day, they added.
The maximum temperature will hover around 33 degree Celsius in Abu Dhabi.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Three ADIS students win award
ABU DHABI — March 12: Three students from the Abu Dhabi Indian School (ADIS) were chosen for the Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for this year.
Ayesha Ibrahim K. from grade three, Leonard A. Francis from grade six and Sania Zia from grade eight, will receive the Award on April 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Their Award consists of a crystal trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of Dh15,000. The Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award, established in March 1998, aims to boost the level of innovation and encourage the spirit of initiative, creativeness and excellence in all the fields of education.
KHALEEJ TIMES
RTA to spend Dh1 billion on purchase of 620 new buses
DUBAI — March 12: The Roads and Transport Authority will purchase 620 buses at a cost of more than Dh1 billion to be delivered in 2007 and 2008, increasing the total number of buses from 580 to 1,200 by 2008.
This decision was taken by the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) chaired by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Authority recently.
Al Tayer said that the purchase of the buses was meant to attract more passengers so as to reduce traffic congestion. He emphasised that the authority is seeking to raise the proportion of trips taken by mass transit by providing alternatives mass transport means distinguished with high-quality and acceptable cost.
He explained that the tender to purchase 620 buses include 170 public double-decker buses, 300 trailer buses, 70 normal public buses, 30 buses for the airport, and 50 of the type average. He said that 150 regular buses will be imported in December 2007 and June 2008, while 300 double-decker coaches will be imported in August 2007 and June 2008, while 170 double-decker regular buses will be supplied in September 2007 and December 2008.
Al Tayer said that two companies would purchase these buses. “A German company will purchase 170 double deck buses, 150 dual coaches buses and 75 regular buses while “Solaris” a Polish company will purchase 225 buses including 75 regular buses and 150 double coaches buses,” he explained. Al Tayer said that the Board of Directors had fixed Dh602 million for maintenance of buses.
KHALEEJ TIMES