NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts UAE Dailies

Stiff penalties for patronising illegals

ABU DHABI — JUN 13: After the expiry of the three-month amnesty period, those found employing illegal workers would face Dh100,000 fine and two months in jail and those found sheltering illegals would have to pay Dh50,000 fine and spend one month in jail, according to Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour (MoL). This punishment would be for each case detected.

During the open session yesterday, Al Zahmi said it was wrong to believe that companies violating the Cabinet decision would be penalised only once, irrespective of the number of illegals recruited or sheltered.

The official met about 30 applicants, most of whom were seeking ways to cancel or regularise their status.

Ministry officials are urging sponsors and companies not to employ illegals and also to contact MoL or the Naturalisation and Residency Departments to get the labour cards or visas of workers cancelled or to legalise their status.

Officials of the ministries of Labour and Interior are holding regular meetings to handle various issues related to amnesty. “We are concentrating on awareness campaigns during inspection visits to the companies in the capital and across the country,” said Al Zahmi.

The MoL will facilitate ways and means to expedite formalities for  illegals who go to the ministry for cancellation, exit or settlement of their disputes.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Prices of essential commodities go up

ABU DHABI — JUN 13: The prices of some essential edible commodities in the capital have gone up by 5 to 10 per cent from June 1. The price of sugar, for instance, has increased by 12.5 per cent. According to the Ministry of Economy’s weekly price list, the prices of most of the edible products have risen by 50 fils to Dh2.

The ministry, however, does not list prices of commodities like sugar and eggs.    Khaleej Times checked the prices of such items with supermarkets. A tray of 30 eggs, which was selling at Dh12.75 around two months ago is now priced at Dh14 in supermarkets in the capital.  Residents said the increase in egg prices was due to a ban on the Indian and Saudi Arabian poultry products.

Rice (Tilda) saw an increase of 65 fils per two kg from June 1, and flour No. 1 was selling at Dh15 per 10kg bag, up from Dh14.75.

According to a supermarket retailer, Jaber, the price of sugar is up from Dh40 to Dh45 for a carton of 12 packs of two kg each, while Asia Oil saw a spurt of Dh2 on a 2-litre pack. It was priced at Dh14 in May.

Abdul Ghafoor, an elderly resident, said, “For the rice bag of 40kg, we have to pay Dh140 while two months ago we used to buy it for Dh119.25. Milk was Dh4 per litre but now it is priced at Dh 5.25 for 1 litre.”

“Every month we see some rise in the prices of edible goods. Actually the prices need to be regularised keeping in view the common man who suffers the most. These 25 and 50 fils increase on various commodities make a big total for many. And one who survives on a meagre salary finds such increases unmanageable,” added Ghafoor.

Commenting on the frequent changes in the prices of consumer items, another resident Praveen Kumar said, “It badly affects our pockets but somehow we have to purchase whatever we need. But it is not good for common people.”

“Every month we have to see some spurt in edible products prices. And this increase ranges between 5 to 15 fils. People do not bother to take it seriously but it makes a big difference at the end of the month. Prices of edible commodities must be managed properly. I also experienced some sudden spurt in prices of many commodities since past month,” said Shah Yunus Saleem, an IT professional in Abu Dhabi.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Some illegal workers can go directly to the airport

ABU DHABI — JUN 13: Illegal maids, farmers and those working on visit visas who want to leave the country should book their air tickets and go to the airport directly, without dealing with the naturalisation and residency departments across the country, Col. Nasir Al Menhali, director of the Naturalisation and Residency Department in Abu Dhabi (NRDAD), told Khaleej Times.

“Workers belonging to these categories can go directly to the naturalisation office at the airports to finalise the formalities for leaving the country. We’ll waive off all the fines on them during the three-month amnesty period,” added Al Menhali.

However, if the sponsor has filed an absconding report against the worker, the latter will face life-ban on entering the UAE. “However, if the sponsor agrees to waive off the punishment, the illegals can enter the country again later,” he pointed out.

The strictest punishment that an illegal faces is life-ban. “However, only one kind of illegals will not be allowed to enter the UAE again. They are those who have entered the country through illegal ways. We’ll do their eye scanning and forbid them from entering the country forever,” added Al Menhali.

The Cabinet’s amnesty decision has waived off all such punishments as fines and jail for the illegals. “It’s really a golden chance for the workers and employers to clear their status,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the last 48 hours, 74 illegal maids and farm workers have approached the NRDAD to leave the country. Yesterday, the NRDAD withdrew 75 cases going on against illegals in the courts.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Hike prices, face fines’

ABU DHABI — JUN 13: Hotels, restaurants and shops found increasing prices of consumer items without official permission could face fines up to Dh10,000 and closure of business, limited or indefinite, depending on the seriousness of violation, a senior official stated here.

Ahmed Rashid Al Mansouri, director of Consumer Protection Department, Abu Dhabi Department of Planning and Economy, said, “These penalties are applicable at federal level.”

While regretting that some businesses were taking advantage of post-Gonu situation to increase prices of goods and services, he appealed to members of the community to keep on record the bills of goods and services as they are an indisputable proof to bring violators to book for unauthorised hike in prices.

“There have been many complaints made to official authorities, but without bills, making the law-enforcement agencies helpless in imposing proper penalties,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Mahmoud Al Balouchi, chief inspector at the department, said the consumer protection law was a real deterrent. “The law provides a blanket protection for all rights of consumers all over the country,” he pointed out.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Salik toll gates to be activated on July 1

DUBAI — JUN 13: The Salik toll gates will be activated on July 1, a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official said yesterday, adding that the toll fees would be activated only when the cars pass under the gates.

Eng. Maitha Bin Adai, CEO of the RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, said motorists would be tolled only under Salik toll gates at Garhoud Bridge and Shaikh Zayed Road (Al Barsha Gate) near the Mall of the Emirates. “There will be no deductions when cars pass through the area located between the toll gates (Al Garhoud and Al Barsha),” she stressed.

KHALEEJ TIMES

ADFCA warning to bottling company

AL AIN — JUN 13: The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority ADFCA has cautioned a major mineral water bottling company following a complaint from an Al Ain customer who found some impure sediments inside several 1.5-litre water bottles he bought from a local supermarket, last week.

Mohammed Jalal Al Rayaysa, ADFCA’s Manager of Communication and Information, said, “A chemical analysis of the water sample provided by the complainant confirmed it was contaminated.” He said that the authority had formed an inspection committee to probe the incident further.

Interestingly, he disclosed, the committee has so far not detected a single bottle that was filled up on the same date - in the company warehouse or in the Al Ain market — although the complainant still has some sealed water bottles containing the same visible impurities.

Meanwhile, the bottling company’s National Manager when contacted in this connection told Khaleej Times, the company has not received any warnings, either from the ADFCA or any other government agency and that, “this is the first time I am hearing of any such complaint.”

KHALEEJ TIMES

Rapid towaway bikes to reduce traffic jam delays

DUBAI — JUN 13: With the launch of four Honda Goldwing rapid towaway bikes by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) yesterday, commuters can expect shorter delays as a result of traffic jams caused by an accident or breakdown.

“In a minor accident, a car can be towed away within 10 minutes instead of the earlier 40 minutes. Thus traffic congestion can be averted,” said Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of RTA, during the launch yesterday.

“The UAE is the fourth country in the world after China, Sweden and Canada to deploy such bikes,” Al Tayer pointed out.

The bikes are deployed to cover key spots where breakdowns or accidents can cause serious traffic jams, including Shaikh Zayed Road, Al Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Garhoud Bridge from 6am to 9pm.

The service, free of cost, will be provided in coordination with Dubai Police, he said.

“The RTA will expand the coverage once the concept proves successful,” said Al Tayer, adding that the bikes cost Dh900,000.

He also said that studies conducted by RTA suggested that emergencies and traffic accidents are among the key reasons of road jams and account for 16 per cent of the traffic congestion. “When a simple traffic hindrance occurs such as a vehicle breakdown or minor traffic accident and lasts for 10 minutes during peak hours, it will result in traffic congestion that requires more than 40 minutes to clear,” he explained.

“In such cases, it will be difficult for standard recovery vehicles to access the site of the incident to tow the vehicle; a matter that warrants the need for a rapid means of accessing the site of the accident. Such means have to be heavy duty, effective and speedy, “ he said. “This ignited the idea of introducing Honda Goldwing bikes.”

Al Tayer explained that each bike was capable of towing upto 2.5 tonne vehicle at a speed of 30kph. “It can be manoeuvred between vehicles on congested roads due to its miniature size (width is 95cm only),” he said.

Brigadier Essa Amman, Deputy Director of Traffic General Administration Department, who also attended the launch said, “The procedure remains the same. A call has to be made to the police to report the accident, and if it is a minor accident and the bike is located nearby, then it will tow away the affected car,” he added.

He also said the bikes were electronically linked to the traffic systems of the RTA. “We also have over 60 cameras that are monitoring the roads. If an accident occurs anywhere on Dubai’s roads, the bike can reach the spot immediately,” added Brig Amman.

Brig Amman asked for public cooperation in making the concept a success. “We have asked motorists to pull their vehicles aside after a minor accident so that a traffic jam is averted. But, at present, no one is following the directions,” he added.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Truck driver in debt dies of heart attack in desert
  
 
DUBAI - JUN 13: The brother of a 50-year-old Indian pick-up truck driver, who died on Friday, is trying to repatriate his body after clearing the debts the man had run up for heart surgery just a year earlier.
The deceased,Vijayan Kallinkal, who lived in Nakheel, Ras Al Khaimah, was found dead on Friday by Al Mamad Police in the Jabel Bahasa desert area of Al Dhaid in Sharjah, near his pick-up vehi cle that got stuck in the desert.

Vijayan had been missing since Friday night after he went to deliver goats to a customer, said his grieving elder brother Vinayan, 52. Vinayan said his younger brother was a heart patient who had been working in the UAE for the past 18 years. He needed heart surgery last year and had to borrow money for the costly procedure, which is a debt he has left behind.Vijayan earned about Dh1,000 per month.

Vinayan said his brother had died of a heart attack. “On Friday, I was worried when my brother had not returned home even by 11.45pm,” he said. “When I called his mobile number, a policeman from Al Mamad police station answered and said he was dead. I was shocked.” Vinayan later identified his brother’s body at the Sharjah Police Forensic Laboratory, where it was kept. “He had a bypass surgery a year ago in India. Police told us he died of a heart attack while trying to push his pick-up vehicle that got stuck in the sand,” Vinayan added. “Our father, Velu Kutty, who is 85 and mother Valli, 80, and Vijayan’s wife, have not been informed about his death.

“He spent whatever money he had for the heart surgery. I also lent him some. A few driver colleagues of his, too, collected money for his treatment. All that was in vain. Now, I have to repatriate his body after getting a death certificate,” Vinayan said.

Sharjah Police found Vijayan’s wallet with Dh570 and his mobile phone. As part of the investigation, the body was brought to the Forensic Department where his brother identified the body. “His vehicle got stuck in the sand and there was no one else in the area to help. He tried to push the vehicle out of the sand, but had a major heart attack because he was not supposed to exert himself physically,”Vinayan told Emirates Today.

“He was sick but worked to earn money to go back and consult his doctor again. Doctors advised him to rest and stop working after his operation. But he could not. He was worried about our old parents, and his family,” Vinayan said.

  
EMIRATES TODAY

Cars hitch a ride on new power bikes
 
 
DUBAI - JUN 13: Four rescue motorcycles complete with towing facilities have been deployed at bottlenecks in Dubai to alleviate traffic congestion.  The Road Transport Authority (RTA) has spent Dh900,000 on the 140 -horsepower Honda Goldwings, which will operate along Shindagha Tunnel, Al Maktoum and Garhoud Bridges and Sheikh Zayed Road between the Defence flyover and Trade Centre roundabout.This deployment brings UAE among the elite group of five countries who are putting the bike to use.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director at the RTA, said minor accidents, like a vehicle breaking down, were responsible for 16 per cent of traffic congestion.

He said: “When a simple traffic obstruction occurs, it takes anything up to 40 minutes to clear. But with these bikes we can solve the problem within 10 minutes.” Al Tayer said the surveillance cameras will alert the motorcyclist about the problem.

Brigadier Essa Obaid Aman, deputy director of Dubai’s traffic police, said the machines will be a major help to the force and will significantly improve traffic flow.

“It is a beautiful idea initiated by the RTA. I am very impressed by the capability of the bikes, we are pleased to be working alongside the RTA,” he said. The motorcycles will be able to nip in and out of traffic to get to the cause of congestion and tow vehicles at a top speed of 30kph.

They are capable of hauling 2.5 tonnes and will be electronically linked to the RTA traffic systems.

  
EMIRATES TODAY

Dubai - Jun 13: It’s really no wonder these Bangladeshi children are smiling. This is the first time they and their loved ones have had access to clean, fresh water - and thanks to Dubai-based  flight attendant Maria Conceicao, it won’t be the last.

Maria and her team of volunteers recently installed three water wells and distributed 100 water drums to families in the Dhaka area, using money donated by the Emirates Foundation and the people of Dubai. And the Dhaka Project plans to install another 400 drums to the village in the coming weeks so more local families can collect and make use of the torrential monsoon rains.

Maria said: “The drums only cost about dhs45 each and allow them to cook, wash, shower and drink. When the rains stop in summer, they now have the wells. It was silly - these children were drinking pure water at the project but returning home and having to share dirty pond water again. It made no sense at all.”

When the water supplies are done Maria intends to open public lavatories for the entire village and its inhabitants. “We are teaching the children the basic hygiene standards of life - but that needs to continue when they go home at night. I want them to have the best start”, she explained.

Maria’s tireless work to improve the lives of children from the slum areas of Dhaka began two years ago when she stayed in the city on a stop-over flight from Dubai. So upset by what she saw when she visited the poorest suburbs of the city she vowed to help create change and offer the children, and their families, a better future.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Dhaka Project can contact Maria and her small team of helpers on  childrendhaka@yahoo.com.

SEVEN DAYS