NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies
Illegals face life ban after amnesty ends
ABU DHABI — JUN 18: Illegal workers found staying in the country after the end of the amnesty period would face a life ban, according to Humaid bin Deemas, under-secretary at the Ministry of Labour (MoL).
Speaking to Khaleej Times yesterday, Bin Deemas said: “The illegal workers have now a golden chance to leave the country during the three-month amnesty period that would end on September 2. Hence, I call upon all the workers staying or working illegally in the country to benefit from the scheme.”
The cabinet decision on amnesty also proposed strict punishments on violating employers after the amnesty period.
The MoL in association with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is trying to facilitate the formalities for illegal workers’ return home.
“The illegal workers who want to leave the country should fill in the work permit cancellation form, get an acceptance letter from the MoL and go to the airport directly after booking their seat, without going to the Naturalization and Residency Department,” said Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, under-secretary at the MoL.
“The workers can print the cancellation form online or get it from the typing centres,” added Al Zahmi.
He said that the authorities concerned are doing their best to help the illegals to benefit from the amnesty period.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Booklet to help illegals
ABU DHABI — JUN 18: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) will issue a new booklet to help the illegals regularise their status, an official of the ministry said.
The booklet will guide them to go to the concerned department, and will facilitate the illegals in the procedures required to avail the amnesty offered by the government
KHALEEJ TIMES
Metro tunnel work under Dubai Creek completes uphill task
DUBAI — JUN 18: Work on Dubai Metro has achieved a major milestone with the Rail Agency under the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) completing the uphill task of the digging of a tunnel under the Dubai Creek.
The tunnel boring machine (TBM 1), also known as Al Wugeisha1, was used for this purpose.
Adnan Al Hammadi, director of Construction at the RTA said: “Al Wugeisha1 finished digging the 300-metre long tunnel under the creek earlier this month, completing an astonishing 800 metres in total. Over 450 tunnel lining rings have been also placed.”
Al Hammadi added: “Now, less than 670 metres remains for the Al Wugeisha1 to reach its destination at the BurJuman metro station, which is currently under construction.
Two TBM’s are currently working in opposite directions. The Dubai Metro Project will utilise three TBMs for the underground construction.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Evicted bachelors find home in park
SHARJAH — JUN 18: Despite the soaring temperatures and high humidity, some 300 workers are sleeping in Al Musallah Park in Sharjah for the past four days after being evicted by their landlords.
The labourers, mostly illegal workers, complained they were forced to leave their apartments after their electricity and water was disconnected as part of Sharjah Municipality’s recent drive to evict bachelors from family residential areas.
Selvan, a worker from the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, said “I paid four months advance rent. But after I was evicted, the real estate agent refused to refund any money.”
Raju, another worker, said “I have been struggling to find work after Sharjah Municipality banned company vans to pick up or drop off workers in Rolla area. I also paid advance rent and now have no money left to take up any alternative accomodation.”
Murukesan, one of his compatriots, said “To make matters worse, we have no proof we paid any advance rents to real estate agents. And since we are working illegally, we also cannot lodge a complaint with the police.”
He added, “I do have some money left. But bed space even in the Industrial area has become unaffordable, ever since the municipality started evicting bachelors from designated family residential areas.”
Murukesan said, “Fortunately, so far, neither the police nor any civic body officials have tried to evict us from the park. But you never know when they might.”
When contacted, the Sharjah Police refused to comment on the issue.
KHALEEJ TIMES
1,000 Rajni fans to watch ‘Sivaji’ free
DUBAI — JUN 18: Some 1,000 labourers, including housemaids across Dubai, can now watch Tamil actor Rajinikant’s latest blockbuster, ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, for free.
With the film creating waves across the world, the Rajni World Welfare Trust (R2WT), a non-profit organisation, is planning to distribute 1,000 tickets to labourers and domestic help across Dubai to watch the movie free. The trust, comprising 40 Non-resident Indians in the UAE, is raising money for the purpose.
The tickets, according to the organisation, will be given for Thursday night and Friday matinee shows starting this weekend.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Narayana Kannan, a trustee of R2WT said: “There are many hard-working labourers in Dubai who wish to watch the movie but cannot afford it. That’s why we decided to buy tickets for them. Each of our trust members know many labourers from their own organisations and they are giving the tickers free to them.”
While around 50 per cent of the amount, Dh1,500, will come from the trust’s kitty, members are encouraging friends to donate the rest of the amount. “We are asking our friends to chip in by putting in small amounts like Dh10 or Dh20, depending on how much they would like to donate,” said Kannan.
While the trust is planning to give 100 tickets in the first weekend, the second and third weekends will have around 250 labourers each viewing the film. The remaining will watch the film in the fourth week.
R2WT is hoping that they can help more than 1,000 labourers see the movie. It is also contemplating on replicating the concept in Abu Dhabi. It believes that this move will help prevent illegal viewing of the movie.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Tyre holds key to your safety
DUBAI — JUN 18: Vehicle tyres’ tolerance and performance levels drop significantly during the summer months, according to a leading tyre manufacturing company.
“It’s vital to regularly maintain the tyre’s condition, even more so during the summer months when temperatures rise above 40 degrees Celsius. Tyres must have the recommended volume of cold air pumped into them from the onset of the service life to ensure safety in the summer time,” say experts.
“Driving on under-inflated tyres has several negative consequences for the vehicle, including increased fuel consumption and the inability to apply brake properly,” said Mohammad Saghier, technical manager, Goodyear Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.
“The rubber on tyres also heats up and becomes softer due to the heat, which means the tread wears out faster. Drivers need to be extra careful to avoid weak spots, punctures and blow-outs as the summer temperatures can aggravate any existing damage.”
Saghier added: “Information on the recommended cold air required by tyres on a vehicle is found on the driver’s door panel, fuel cap cover or the vehicle’s handbook. When tyres are still warm during or immediately after a journey, it’s not advisable to check tyre inflation as this will undoubtedly result in misleading pressure readings. This is due to the fact that cold air heats up during operation and expands. Tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold, at least eight hours after a long journey.”
He pointed out: “It’s common for people to travel between the Gulf states during the summer for short breaks or weekends. This puts heavy strain on the vehicle, and makes it imperative that drivers be extra cautious with their tyres,” pointed said Saghier.
“Before going on a road trip, drivers must get the tyre balancing, wheel alignment, and tyre rotation. Aside from this, drivers must at all times have a healthy spare tyre,” he stressed.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Travel agent vanishes after luring clients with discounts
DUBAI - JUN 18: Residents have complained to police about a travel agent that advertised tempting travel bargains, took their cash – then closed down. Shiraz Tourism and Cargo offered deals aimed at expatriates from Philippines, India and Nepal who wanted to book trips for visiting relatives from their home countries.
The company advertised their special summer offer for three weeks in Alwaseet, an English-language classifieds paper. But after collecting payments from customers it failed to supply tickets and visas and shut its office near Sharjah fish market.
The advertised deals included a return ticket from Manila to Dubai plus a visit visa for Dh2,500 – considerably less than the rate charged by other travel agents.
A return ticket from Mumbai to Sharjah was priced at just Dh1,700. And Nepal to Sharjah return was on offer for a cut-rate of Dh2,300.
Victim Ramesh Kumar Lama, 42, a Nepalese watchman living in Al Qusais, Dubai, said: “I wanted to bring my young brother Nem Bahadur Tamang here on a visit visa.
“After seeing the Shiraz Tourism and Cargo advertisement I called up to ask for details. A lady told me to call at their office.” Lama said he saw many cus tomers at the office who had been attracted by the advert.
“The staff demanded that the full amount be paid in advance and promised that visa and ticket would be delivered 10 days later,” he said.
“Everybody paid, thinking it was a genuine travel agent. Other firms charge Dh600 or more for a ticket and visit visa. The offer was attractive, and they even gave me a discount of Dh100.
“When I called after 10 days nobody responded, their mobile phones were switched off. When I sent my other brother to the office he found it was closed.
“Shop owners said the travel agent closed a week ago and many people had inquired about it,” said Lama.
Sharjah Police advised Lama and other victims to file a civil case against the agent.
“Police officials told me they had received more complaints about the same company,” he said.
Alaa Bayasid of Alwaseet Dubai, the weekly classified paper that carried the advert, said: “We ran the advert for three weeks and received our cheque for Dh5,000.
“It is not our mistake and this is the first such complaint that we have received. Those who feel cheated can complain to the police,” Alaa Bayasid said.
He said 200,000 copies of Alwaseet were distributed in the UAE every week.
Other deals advertised by Shiraz Tourism and Cargo included a selection of return flights from India to Sharjah plus visa. These included return trips from Cochin for Dh2,000, Chennai for Dh1,800 and Calicut for an all inclusive price of Dh2,000.
The advertisement also carried offers for people in the UAE wishing to travel to Kish in Iran to obtain a new visa.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Injured nine-year-old girl waits eight hours for care at hospital
DUBAI - JUN 18: A little girl injured in a car crash was kept waiting for eight hours at Dubai’s Rashid Hospital – before being sent home without receiving any treatment. Nada, nine, was taken to the emergency centre with severe arm pains.
She waited four hours, while the staff decided whether an X-ray was needed. After repeated appeals from her family the image was taken.
But she had to wait a further four hours for a diagnosis. The duty orthopedic specialist did not appear and instead another physician – not a specialist – offered to examine the X-ray.
He discharged Nada after deciding she did not need a splint or any other medical treatment. But her family were convinced she suffered a fracture. They said other patients also complained of delays that day. Patients and their relatives were also unhappy about the absence of a nurse who spoke Arabic.
They did not know any other language – so commu nication about the nature of injuries was impossible. Some people accused nurses of showing indifference to the extent that they felt as if they were begging for treatment.
Nada’s family urged the health authorities to take immediate action to improve the level of service at Rashid Hospital, with the goal of protecting patients.
They said Arab nurses f should be available to facili tate communication and f accelerate the progress of tests and diagnoses.
The hospital’s Medical Director, DrYunis Kazim, said the case of Nada was an indi vidual incident that would be investigated, with everyone involved being questioned. - He said delays in seeing doctors sometimes occurred because of the system used to categorise cases, which meant more seriously injured patients were attended to first.
The system was used in the best hospitals around the world. But he denied delay was due to the negligence or slackness of any doctors or nurses.
He said the cause could have been the huge number of patients received by the emergency centre every day.
EMIRATES TODAY
Dubai and Abu Dhabi more ‘affordable’ now
UAE-JUN 18: Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become more “affordable” as they climbed down the list of the most expensive cities worldwide. Dubai is down nine places in 34th position, and Abu Dhabi has slipped 15, placed low at 45. Both the emirates have become cheaper because the dirham is pegged to the dollar, the survey said. The annual cost of living survey was published last Monday.
Currency movements have been the main factor driving multiple changes of position in the worldwide survey by leading human resources consultancy Mercer, which ranks 143 cities against each other with New York as the overall benchmark.
“There have been some significant changes in the rankings since last year,” said Mercer consultant Rebecca Powers. “These are primarily due to exchange rate fluctuations – in particular the weakening of the US dollar and strengthening of the euro.
“The change reflects a reversal of the situation experienced this time last year, when the majority of US cities climbed the ranking due to the strength of the dollar,” said Powers.
In Asia, Singapore climbed three places to 14th while Mumbai rose 16 places to 52nd – both moves mainly due to surging property prices, the survey said.
Moscow remains the world’s most expensive city for expatriates with London close behind after rising three places due to the weakness of the dollar, the survey revealed.
“As companies continue to send employees on foreign assignments, they must closely monitor changes in the cost of living to ensure their expatriate compensation packages are fair and competitive,” said Powers.
The survey measures the comparative costs of more than 200 items, including rent, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.
The annual survey normally covers 144 cities, but this year Harare has been dropped because hyperinflation there made international cost comparisons meaningless, Mercer said. Asuncion is the cheapest city for expatriates for the fifth consecutive year, just behind Karachi and Quito.
EMIRATES TODAY
Dubai - Jailed for knife attack
Dubai - Jun 18: An argument over a woman led to a man being handed down a sentence of one-and-a-half years by the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday. AA, a 21-year-old UAE national, stabbed a friend of his three times after they had argued about something the victim said about a girlfriend of his.
Last August, the victim was at a billiard hall with some friends, when two cars arrived containing a group of men carrying knives and swords. The defendant was part of this group and proceeded to go after the victim, stabbing him in the thigh wrist and stomach. The police were called and arrived to arrest the defendant, although the other gang members remain at large.
SEVEN DAYS
Dubai - Jailed for knife attack
Dubai - Jun 18: An argument over a woman led to a man being handed down a sentence of one-and-a-half years by the Dubai Court of First Instance yesterday. AA, a 21-year-old UAE national, stabbed a friend of his three times after they had argued about something the victim said about a girlfriend of his.
Last August, the victim was at a billiard hall with some friends, when two cars arrived containing a group of men carrying knives and swords. The defendant was part of this group and proceeded to go after the victim, stabbing him in the thigh wrist and stomach. The police were called and arrived to arrest the defendant, although the other gang members remain at large.
SEVEN DAYS