NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
Stringent measures to root out software piracy
DUBAI — MAY 28:The UAE government will introduce more stringent measures to root out piracy of computer software with the help of the corporate sector and the community as a whole, a top official said.
Juma Al Leem, Director of Censorship Department, Dubai Government, while commenting on a recent out of court settlement between a Dubai-based computer company and Microsoft said that a combined action between government, corporate sector and civil society is needed to fight the menace of piracy.
The case between the computer company and Microsoft was initiated after authorities seized pirated software from the store in a recent raid. The raid followed an official complaint by Microsoft. Business Software Alliance (BSA), the international association established by the software industry to promote a safe and legal digital world, took the initiative to bring the matter to the notice of the UAE government.
Commenting on the out of court settlement Juma said “The settlement agreement is a positive contribution to the anti-piracy initiative of the company which promised to ensure that no illegal items are sold in the store.”
Tolga Altinordu, Director, Microsoft Gulf, said, “Although legal action is a last resort, Microsoft is prepared to follow this path in order to protect its customers, its partners and intellectual property rights.”
KHALEEJ TIMES
Teachers providing fake certificates to face 10-yr jail term
ABU DHABI — MAY 28: Teachers or administrative staff at educational institutions found guilty of submitting fake certificates and documents in order to secure jobs would face stiff punishments including three to 10-year prison terms.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) warned yesterday that teachers who had submitted fake certificates to the ministry would be asked to appear before the public prosecution office and will face legal action.
The MoE will check and verify all certificates and documents provided by teachers or staff at private and public schools across the country. Khoula Al Moala, assistant under-secretary of the Educational Administration at the ministry, affirmed that Education Minister Dr Hanif Hassan had directed the legal department to carefully scrutinise all such documents and certificates at the time of recruitment.
Dr Hassan, according to a source, has stressed on the necessity of immediately informing MoE officials about any cases involving fake or forged certificates and documents.
Tarek Nassar, a legal adviser, clarified the the difference between faked official documents and other fake certificates or documents: The first category refers primarily to documents issued within the UAE by the official authorities here.
Any person who submits a faked official document or certificate may face a three to 10-year prison term. Similarly, for those cases involving faked certificates or documents issued abroad, the defaulter may face upto three years in prison, in addition to a penal fine ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh10,000.
A photocopy of a faked documents may also lead to a five year-prison term.
Ahmed Al Hamli, director of the legal department at the MoE, said, “The ministry strives to ensure that all certificates and official documents that are submitted are genuine.” However, a number of fake certificates and documents, the source added, have been discovered during this verification process.
Meanwhile, educationists and school administrators have hailed the MoE decision.
Obaid Obaid Mouftah, principle of Ibn Rushd preliminary school based in Abu Dhabi, said this was surely a right step in the right direction.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Man’s body lies unclaimed
ABU DHABI — MAY 28: The body of an Indian national who died in an accident in Sila three weeks ago is still lying unclaimed. The body is currently kept in the Abu Dhabi Central Hospital mortuary.
Hospital sources said the body would be buried in a week’s time if nobody came forward to claim it.
The man, identified as Kamaludheen Sharafuddheen, 34, and a Saudi national woman were killed on the spot in an accident in Sila on May 2.
They were coming from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
According to hospital sources, the body of the Saudi woman was claimed by her relatives and has already been repatriated.
Hafees, a social worker in Abu Dhabi said, “a passport copy of Kamaludheen was found in his shirt pocket, which shows he hails from Gonda near Lucknow in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.”
However, he said, the victim was holding a Saudi visa and no other details of him could not be traced.
“If he had a UAE visa it would have been easier to trace his details. But we don’t know how to go about it,” he added.
“If nobody comes to claim his body, his family will not get any insurance claims later,” he said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Abu Dhabi Police dept introduces e-services
ABU DHABI — MAY 28: The Private Security Firms Section of the General Department of Protecting Installations in the Abu Dhabi Police has introduced a number of electronic services, as part of modernisation at Abu Dhabi Police headquarters.
The new e-services will help streamline procedures and storage of information, as well as facilitate electronic transactions.
Captain Ahmed Saleh Al Kotba, chief of Private Security Firms Section, said the system would help in collecting data of companies operating in the field of security and will help in submitting all the criminal information about security guards.
He added that the new regulations also aim to enhance cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, which would save time and simplify the procedure for issuing work permits of guards, as well as to ensure that they get the cards from the Ministry of Labour, through the web site of the Ministry of Labour.
He also stressed the new system aims at providing a suitable environment for workers in the field of security, pointing out that the private security companies had made a proposal to the Ministry of Labour seeking an increase in salaries and reduction in the work hours of security guards.
Capt Al Kotba pointed out that an integrated electronic environment system would be launched in October next which will be equipped to issue permits as well as handle renewal and cancellation.
It would also accept fees and record irregularities committed by security companies and guards.
He said a customer service unit has been set up to deal with complaints and suggestions. It can be contacted on 02-4444341.
He added that currently there are 10,068 guards employed in eight private security firms that are operating in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Workers have to sweat it out while commuting
DUBAI — MAY 28: With the temperatures soaring, commuting is becoming a tedious task, specially in buses without air-conditioning. The people most affected during the summer months are labourers who are forced to travel in non-AC buses.
Khaleej Times contacted representatives of some companies engaged in transporting labourers from their camps to the work sites and back to get their views on the issue.
Zoran, general manager of Al Shaafar Transport and Contracting Company, stressed the importance of treating labourers in a normal way. “The labourers are the biggest assets of any company. They are the ones who are building the city. The least we can do for them is provide air-conditioned buses. A few years ago, the situation was worse. But it has improved a lot now because of the rules set by the Ministry of Labour and the respect for human rights.”
Mohammed, general manager of Al Fahd Contracting Company, admits, “Our buses are not air-conditioned because that is the way we bought them. The labourers work in the open all day so it won’t make any difference if they spend 20 minutes or more travelling in a non-AC bus.”
Salim Jarrar, manager of Al Sahel Contracting Company, said, “The company’s buses are equipped with fans out of respect for the well-being of the labourers. We treat them the way we would like ourselves to be treated.”
Sarajeddine, manager in Al Ahli Contracting, pointed out that a few of their buses are not equipped with air-conditioning because they were bought some years ago. “But we can fit fans in the old buses and could replace them with air-conditioned ones later, if possible,” he said.
Mohammed Rashid, Manager of Labour and Transport, Belhasa Contracting Company, noted that if providing buses with AC was necessary, then an official order must be issued by the concerned authorities, making it binding on all contracting companies. “Our buses are not equipped with AC. My assessment is that nearly 90 per cent of such buses are without AC. It all depends on the company, but if a rule is introduced, we would comply.”
However, labourers complained of discrimination, stating, “While the supervisors and other officials are transported in air-conditioned cars and buses, only labourers are given step-motherly treatment from employers.”
“We are glad that many companies have come a long way from using wagons without much ventilation to transport labourers only few years ago, to proper 55-seater buses. But, after a hard day’s work, specially during the summer, it would mean a lot if we travelled in comfort,” several workers opined, hoping that the authorities would take some decision soon and enforce a rule on use of air-conditioned transport for workers.
Meanwhile, Humeid bin Deemas, undersecretary in the Ministry of Labour, affirmed that there is no rule to equip contracting companies’ buses with AC. “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued an order a few years ago prohibiting the use of pick-ups for transporting labourers since it was an uncivilised way to transport people. Our authorities won’t spare any effort to enhance the way people are living or being treated,” he said.
While appreciating that the issue of air-conditioned bus for workers has been raised by some people, Deemas said the ministry may consider the suggestion soon and make it mandatory for all companies to use air-conditioned buses to transport labourers, specially during the summer months.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Water pipe burst leaves parts of Shaikh Zayed Road flooded
DUBAI — MAY 28: A water supply pipe of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) burst near the first interchange on Shaikh Zayed Road, flooding parts of Dubai’s main highway and surrounding areas where construction work for Metro is underway.
However, no traffic snarls were reported due to the water leakage.
An eyewitness told Khaleej Times: “Police and Dewa officials were on the spot signalling motorists to stay away from the last lane which was partly waterlogged. However, the traffic remained unaffected.”
Another eyewitness said he was surprised to see water flooding the last lane of Shaikh Zayed Road while he was driving to Dubai from Jebel Ali. “I saw workers standing beside the road and showing a red cloth to alert motorists,” he said.
A Dewa official confirmed the pipe burst saying a maintenance team from Dewa rushed to the spot immediately after it was reported. “We have stopped pumping water through the main supply line after the burst. Our team started maintenance operation soon after we learnt about the burst,” said the official.
The official claimed that the burst did not cause any severe water shortage. “There was no delay in water supply. Low pressure in the supply system has caused the burst,” the official added.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Plea to cut visa, other fees for Bangladeshi workers with less than Dh500 salary
DUBAI — MAY 28: The Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi has urged the UAE government to reduce the visa and recruitment fees for those Bangladeshi expatriates whose salary is less than Dh500.
Bangladesh and the UAE signed an MoU during the recent visit of the UAE Labour Minister, Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi, to Dhaka. The MoU aims at ensuring the rights and interests of Bangladeshi workers in the UAE. At present, there are more than 400,000 Bangladeshi workers employed in the UAE.
Talking to Khaleej Times, Mohammed Siddique ur Rahman, the Consul Labour at the Bangladesh Embassy said: “We are concerned about our labourers. Most of them get a salary of less than Dh500. That’s why we have requested the UAE government to reduce the fee charged from these workers for various processes like security deposits, visa cost, visa change fees etc. We have requested that these fees be cut by at least 20 per cent for these workers,” he said.
“The workers getting higher salaries do not have to worry about this. There should be no change in fees for them. But those getting less salaries are facing problems in paying the fees. They also pay a hefty amount to the middlemen at the time of coming to the country. We hope the MoU will improve their lot,” Rahman pointed out.
Talking about the MoU, Rahman said: “This is a welcome move. The MoU will definitely improve the lot of our workers and help them in various ways.” Al Kaabi has also signed a similar MoU with Sri Lanka.
Mohammed Nabavi Junaid, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, said the MoU between the UAE and Sri Lanka would lead to greater transparency when it came to hiring workers. Junaid said, “The living standards of Sri Lankans in the UAE is going to improve a lot in the long run. One of the biggest problems have been the brokers (middlemen) who exploit the people,” he pointed out.
“However, after the signing of this MoU, the employee will know about the nature of work he is going to do and the package he’ll be getting. A copy of the employment contract will be with him and the employer. Also, the labour departments of both the countries will keep records,” he said.
KHALEEJ TIMES
E-criminals seek more victims
DUBAI - MAY 28: Electronic crime is increasing as crooks learn new ways to use advanced technology to commit fraud and other offences. The people involved cover a wide range of nationalities and ages, said Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad Hamad, Director of Dubai Police’s General Department of Forensic Science.
Offences range from hijacking etisalat phone services, money laundering, trading in copyright items, spying on personal details, hacking computers, blackmail, issuing threats, ruining reputations to stealing business information.
“The number of such cases has increased over the past three years,” said Lt Col Hamad. “In 2005, we had 48 cases compared with 71 cases in 2006 and 90 cases so far this year.
“Earlier, people used to suffer in silence as they thought the police would not be able to help them. However, now people are more aware of the role of our department in tracking down the culprits and arresting them. Thus more and more people are coming forwards with complaints.” Lt Col Hamad said his section did not receive cases directly from the public.
“Victims first have to file a complaint at their local police station. Then we become involved in helping to find out whether or not the allegations are true,” he said.
Captain-Engineer Rashid Lootah, Head of Electronic Forensics, said: “There are many types of electronic crimes.We deal with all crimes related to ATM machines, theft of data from mobile phones and internet offences.”
EMIRATES TODAY
Early diagnosis key to success
ABU DHABI: MAY 28: Doctors from Abu Dhabi’s Tawam Hospital have said that although incidents of breast cancer were rising in the region, cancer cases are being caught much earlier, a critical factor in successful treatment of the disease.
“Endocrine therapy, such as Letrozole, remains a very powerful approach to treating breast cancer, as long as it is diagnosed early,” said Dr Ian Smith from the Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer Research in London, who spoke with regional doctors at a Paris summit.
EMIRATES TODAY
Taxis will be petrol-free
DUBAI - MAY 28: Dubai’s new generation of environment-friendly taxis are to be made even more green. On Saturday, Emirates Today reported plans to convert the emirate’s entire taxi fleet to hybrid power.
These vehicles produce lower emissions of harmful gases than normal cars by using a combination of electricity and conventional fuel.
Now it has been revealed the cars of Dubai Taxi are to dispense with petrol entirely. When the hybrid replacements hit the roads they will use electricity and natural gas. A committee has been set up to push forward the plans.
The committee will cover vehicles operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and all departments of the RTA are represented on it.
The initial steps in the plan will be set out within the next few weeks, said Ammar bin Tamim, Director of Dubai Taxi at the RTA. “The project needs an accurate study,” he said. “Dubai Taxi has 3,142 vehicles. There are also taxis owned by the other transport companies.
“The RTA has applied the concept of environmentfriendly cars to all Dubai Taxi vehicles since the latter started to work under the umbrella of the authority.
“There is a condition that cars should not be more than three years old so their engines do not harm the environment. In addition, Dubai Taxi vehicles use Super 98 fuel, which causes the least pollution,” Bin Tamim said.
Eventually, all the 6,000 taxis currently in Dubai will run on hybrid power.
A technical source at the Dubai’s transport authority said: “The decision to run on gas requires essential support – supply stations, special tanks and security.” Husain Sultan, Executive Manager of Eppco, said: “Our company does not currently have the necessary arrangements to provide the RTA with the fuel required to operate its vehicles when they are converted to green fuel.”
EMIRATES TODAY
Dubai - Traffic offences
Dubai - May 28: A Dubai-based policeman took bribes from offending motorists to wipe their records clean, a court heard yesterday. The 32-year-old Omani policeman, identified only as AS, was caught after Bur Dubai Police laid a trap for him after receiving information about what he was up to. The accused was working alongside his assistant, a Pakistani identified as SM, and police took him into custody, where he confessed to what was going on and agreed to co-operate with the police in helping them arrest AS.
After AS had written tickets to traffic offenders he told SM to phone them back and offer them the chance to clear their records if they would pay him. “SM, told us the accused had called him saying he had written some tickets for motorists in Al Qouz Industrial area and asked him to call them offering to delete the offences for money,” one police officer told Dubai Public Prosecution. SM then arranged a meeting with the accused in a car park at the Immigration Department, where he said he would hand over the money given to him by the offending drivers. When they met, he handed over dhs1,500 to AS, while the police secretly videoed the entire episode. The police then sprang into action, arresting the pair of them, finding the bribe money in AS’s pocket.
AS is charged with accepting bribes to delete traffic offences, while SM is accused of acting as a middleman and collecting cash for the policeman. The duo confessed to the crimes to Dubai Public Prosecution, but have denied them in court. The trial has been adjourned until later this month.
SEVEN DAYS