NEWS FROM THE UAE
Excerpts from UAE Dailies

29 Year old Indian goes ‘missing’ - Family Begs for Help to Find Him

Dubai - Aug 07: An Indian man in Dubai is desperately searching for his son after he mysteriously vanished three days ago. “It's been days since I heard his voice,” Vishwanathan said of his son Naveen. “Any clue that he is safe would be a big relief for us. This is a very difficult time for the entire family. We are praying he is fine,” he added, appealing for anyone with information on his son to come forward.

Naveen’s worried wife and two-year-old daughter flew back to India yesterday to be with her parents in what Vishwanathan described as a “very disturbing phase”. The 29-year-old Abu Dhabi resident was last seen on Thursday evening when he visited his friend in the Rolla area of Sharjah. He stayed the night at his friend's house but has been missing since.

“His friends say that he was not in the room when they woke up,” Vishwanathan told 7DAYS. Naveen, who works for an oil company in Abu Dhabi often visited his friend at the weekend. The family says that it was not the first time that he stayed the night, but everyone is bemused by what might have prompted him to leave early in the morning without telling anyone.

His worried relatives are now expecting the worst having received no information at all for three days. “His mobile is switched off, there is not even an indication of what may have happened,” said his disturbed father, who registered a missing person complaint with Sharjah Police on Sunday.

“We have looked in all the places he could have gone. We went to all police stations to check if he was arrested for any offence but there is no sign of him,” he added. Sharjah Police confirmed yesterday that they have received a missing person complaint and are investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, the family hints at some personal problems that may have affected Naveen mentally. “He had a severe allergy for which he was taking medication. He was worried that he would lose his job,” said his father, who added that his son has never disappeared before and is a “normal” person like anyone else.  “His wife is very worried. We have asked her to be brave. I hope I can see my son soon,” said Vishwanathan. Anybody with information about Naveen can contact his family on 050 3427141

SEVEN DAYS

Woman with three kids looks for her husband

DUBAI — Aug 07: A 35-year-old Indian woman, allegedly abandoned by her husband six months ago, has been wandering in Dubai’s streets and parks along with her three children in search of food and shelter.

Sakina, who hails from the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, came to the UAE 20 years ago to get married to an Omani national, A.J., who was a resident of the UAE. “I married him 20 years ago in Umm Al Quwain after being brought here. My would-be husband had come to my home in Hyderabad and arranged for my journey to UAE for marriage here. Later, he got my nationality changed and I became Omani national,” says Sakina.

At the time of marriage Sakina was just 15 years old and Al Balouchi was 48.

According to Sakina, her husband vanished with her passport and documents six months ago and she has no information about his whereabouts.

“We used to live in a residential villa in the Hamriya area. But after he left us, the landlord evicted us as we could not pay the rent. Since then I have been spending most of my time in Hamriya Park with my three children — five-year-old Mohammed Abdul Rahman, three-year-old Zainab and one-and-half-year-old Sara,” she adds.

“My husband used to work as a driver here. He has another wife and seven children. I did not know about it until the birth of my first child. I do not know where he is now,” she says.

“A Pakistani family, also staying in the Hamriya area, gave us a place to sleep but we don’t have any means to survive. Every morning I come to the park with my kids. Some good samaritans give us food and clothes sometimes. That’s how we’re surviving,” she says. A security guard in Hamriya Park said, “This woman with her three kids comes every morning to the park. They stay here until the park closes. Some visitors in the park give her food and money.”

KHALEEJ TIMES

Extra-contractual work not allowed

ABU DHABI — AUG -07: Company owners are not allowed to ask their employees to do work activities which are not mentioned in the contract signed between the two parties, according to an informed source at the Ministry of Labour (MoL).

Ahmed Al Besher, legal advisor and supervisor at the amnesty-seekers’ counter at the MoL, said the labour law obligates the employers to implement the exact terms mentioned in the labour contract. “Hence, the firms must not force their labourers to undertake any additional work activities not mentioned in the contract,” explained Al Besher.

Al Besher issued this clarification after the MoL received increasing number of complaints from female employees of beauty salons based in the capital. Salon workers alleged that their employers were sending them to the clients’ homes where they were required to massage male clients, even though they work in ‘Ladies Only’ salons.

“In such cases, if the allegation is found to be true, the employer will face a fine of Dh10,000 in addition to a six-month embargo on fresh work permits,” Al Besher pointed out.

KHALEEJ TIMES

ADNRD to earmark three days for Indians

ABU DHABI — AUG -7: The Abu Dhabi Naturalisation and Residency Department (ADNRD) will soon earmark specific days for the Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani amnesty-seekers, according to sources at the ADNRD.

ADNRD sources told Khaleej Times that while Sundays, Tuesdasys and Thursdays will be earmarked for Indian amnesty-seekers, the Bangladeshi and Pakistani amnesty-seekers will have Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays for the amnesty-related formalities.

“The illegals should go to the Naturalisation and Residency Department in Al Wathba area to complete the formalities of cancelling their visas and getting their fingerprinting done to get the outpasses,” said the ADNRD source, adding that the outpasses would be valid for one week and could be renewed directly.

KHALEEJ TIMES

One more victim of ‘salary fraud’

DUBAI — AUG 07: It has been more than three years since Dhanush Ram last saw his wife and child. An illegal in the UAE, he is today a happy man, thanks to amnesty. He may not have earned enough to even repay the loan he took to get a visa from an agent, but he’s happy.

For, Ram, 48, is longing to see his son who was barely three when he left his native Begusarai, a remote area in the north Indian state of Bihar, to come to the UAE.

Ram came here to work as a mason with a construction company. “I was promised a salary of Dh700 per month. But for six months straight they continued to pay only Dh300. When I saw they (employers) were no mood to pay me the promised salary, I stopped going to work.”

That’s how his journey to an illegal worker began. “They (sponsor) have not returned my passport. For almost a year I kept pleading them to return my passport. But it all fell on deaf ears. At times, they would ask me to pay up Dh5,000 in lieu of the passport. Occasionally, they used to tell me that my passport was with the Immigration or even the Indian Consulate! I was cheated,” he rued.

During this time, he worked at many construction sites illegally. “I did not have any choice. I had paid Rs80,000 (around Dh7,200) to the agent to come here. For this, I had to sell my land and take money from moneylenders. I have not even returned the debt. But then I am happy for one thing. I shall be able to see my family after such a long time.”

How will he face his family back? “I know it’ll be an embarrassing situation back home. But then I am a fighter. I have not lost my hope,” he said.

KHALEEJ TIMES

No waiver for errant firms

ABU DHABI – AUG 07: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) will not waive off penalties imposed on companies which violate the labour law and the ministry’s instructions regarding timely payment of wages and extended midday break.

This was stated by MoL officials during an open session that was attended by PROs, company owners and employees.

According to Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant under-secretary in the MoL, the ministry has rejected the request of an Abu Dhabi-based contracting company which had sought cancellation of fines imposed on the company for violating the midday break rule.

“We can discuss any kind of issues, but fines and penalties, such as downgrading of a company, are non-negotiable matters. We are here to protect the labourers’ rights,” Al Zahmi said.

The official cautioned that those wishing to buy a company or an outlet should first check its records with the ministry. The warning came after a Sudanese woman bought a coffee shop without checking its records and she later found that there were many unpaid fines against the company.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Etihad pitches in with special fares for ‘illegals’

DUBAI — AUG 07: With hundreds of thousands of illegals rushing to leave the UAE under the amnesty programme, Etihad Airways also has decided to offer lower fares to 12 destinations.

An official of the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said some diplomatic missions have already been informed about Etihad’s public service initiative.

“We have informed the embassies of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka about the special  fares that will be valid until September 1,” the official said.

Etihad’s amnesty fares for flights originating in Abu Dhabi to 12 destinations are: Mumbai (Dh400), New Delhi (Dh400), Trivandrum (Dh800), Cochin (Dh800), Karachi (Dh300), Islamabad (Dh650), Peshawar (Dh650), Lahore (Dh650), Dhaka (Dh500), Colombo (Dh450), Jakarta (Dh900) and Manila (Dh900). All fares are exclusive of taxes and covered by the airline’s terms and conditions.

The official has also advised passengers to coordinate with travel agents and the Etihad sales offices across the emirates to enquire about the special fares.

Earlier this week, another UAE carrier, Emirates, had announced 22-55 per cent discounts on tickets to 13 destinations, mainly in the Indian subcontinent.

An Emirates representative confirmed that the ongoing special fares promotion will be valid until August 31 for air tickets to Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Trivandrum, Calcutta, Bangalore, Dhaka, Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad.

KHALEEJ TIMES

IT’S JUST NOT FARE

SHARJAH - AUG 07: Families in Sharjah say taxi drivers are refusing to pick them up as they can make more money from individuals who they often carry on a shared basis.  A family pays a single fare for a journey – while a driver can charge each individual separately, even though Sharjah Transport has warned drivers that this practice is illegal.

But some residents say they have had to wait for hours for a taxi – particularly on weekends – as drivers turn them away if they want to travel only a short distance.

“Last week I had to wait for a taxi next to the Sana shopping centre with my sevenmonth-old baby for almost one-and-a-half hours,” said housewife Sameera Mohiadeen from Um Al Tarafa.

“Taxis went past empty but refused to pick me up and I was left standing in the hot weather with my baby. But the same taxi drivers accepted some men standing just a few metres away.

“Some of them bluntly said for short trips they preferred individuals because they could take five or six dirhams from each person and make 20 to 25 dirhams out of a trip.” Khalid Mazood, a private company employee from Pakistan, said travelling around Sharjah was a nightmare for families without a car.

“Taxi drivers treat you so badly. You have to think twice before taking your family out shopping or for an evening stroll. You are often insulted by a dozen drivers before you manage to get one to take you.” Several other residents who Emirates Today spoke to said the situation had not improved even though they had complained to Sharjah Transport.

But a spokesman from the authority said drivers who refused to take passengers would be dealt with severely.

“Taxis are legally bound to take passengers irrespective of the destination,” he added.

“Any passenger who faces problems should report the incident to us along with the taxi’s registration number and we will endeavour to take immediate action.”

EMIRATES TODAY

Dates not so sweet for diabetics 
   
 
Dates have long been a traditional source of sustenance for people in the region – but they are also a major contributor to the high levels of diabetes and obesity in the Gulf.  “People here eat a lot of dates,” said Dr Ali Sharief of healthcare company Zidus Cadila. “Arabs are fond of them because they are a traditional food.

“Many think it is good to eat dates because they are a natural, staple food.

“But they are full of calories and eating a lot of them without exercise can cause diabetes and obesity. Excess fat and carbohydrates accumulate in the body.” Sharief said research had revealed more than 25 per cent of people across the Gulf had diabetes. This compares with the worldwide average of six per cent.

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to break down sugar in the blood.  Experts have said the level among UAE nationals could rise to 50 per cent within 20 years.

“Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of dates in the world,” added Sharief.  “Our studies show that one reason for the high level of diabetes in the Kingdom is dates.

“And in Qatar, 33 per cent of the population is diabetic. The disease is even catching the youngsters.” Dr Sharief, who was speaking in Dubai at the launch of a new calorie-free sweetener, Sugar Free Natura, said the importance of exercise was illustrated by the mountain people of Saudi Arabia.

“While 25 per cent of the Saudi population suffers from diabetes, only 12 per cent of people living in the mountain city of Abha have the disease,” he said.

This was because people in mountainous areas had to be much more physically active to cope with the terrain, he said. He added that he believed the same pattern occurred in other parts of the

EMIRATES TODAY

Residents up-in-arms at overheated gas prices

SHARJAH - AUG 07: Sharjah residents have complained companies are overcharging them for cooking gas and breaking the law.  While the price stipulated by the emirate’s Economic Development Department for 11 kilograms of gas is Dh39, most companies are now charging Dh45.

Similarly, 22kg of gas costs Dh80 in the market, while the department has fixed the price at Dh78.  Residents said companies have been demanding more since June, telling them that the price of cooking gas has been increased.

“I was surprised to see the advertisement by the Sharjah Economic Department stating the price of 22kg gas cylinder as Dh39, because only last week I paid Dh45,” said Jancy Joseph, a housewife who lives in Abu Shagara area.

Abdullah Marakkar, a marketing professional from Kerala, said he had to pay an extra Dh3 to buy gas this week.

“It was only after seeing the announcement in the paper that I realised they [the gas company] were overcharging me,” said the father of two.

Some angry residents said they were further upset because they have not been able to get through on the customer service number published by the Economic Department to report complaints.

“There is nobody to take your calls at 60 056 7777, the number given in the newspaper advertisement. I kept on trying many times and I was put on hold for two minutes and then the line was disconnected,” said a resident who did not want to be named.

Emirates Today was also unable to contact customer service agents despite trying the number continuously.

Meanwhile, many gas companies confirmed the price hike. While most defended the increase as justified, some said the added cost was for home delivery charges.

However, the price of 44kg gas, which is mainly used by restaurants, has remained unchanged at Dh156
 
 
EMIRATES TODAY

Salary-through-bank rule to come into force in Jan.

ABU DHABI – AUG 07: To safeguard the right of labourers to timely payment of wages, the federal rule stipulating payment of workers’ salaries through banks will be strictly enforced from early next year, said a senior labour official.

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Emirates Central Bank (ECB) will meet this week to outline effective mechanisms to implement the Cabinet decree which makes it compulsory for  companies to open bank accounts for their workers and remit  their salaries on time, Obaid Rashid Al Zahmi, assistant under-secretary at the MoL, told Khaleej Times yesterday.

“The new payment system would be implemented by January 2008. All the companies in the country have to open bank accounts for their workers through which they must get their financial entitlements,” said Al Zahmi.

The decision requiring workers’ salaries to be paid through banks is in consonance with the instructions of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

This decision is expected to help resolve the issue of pending and unpaid wages, which accounts for most of the disputes involving workers and their employers. It will also help protect the labourers’ right to receiving salaries on time and putting an end to attempts by some errant employers to delay payments for long periods.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Marine towers to be installed at Al Khan, Mamzar beaches soon

SHARJAH - AUG 07: SHARJAH police said marine towers equipped with wireless and sound devices will be installed at Al Khan beach and Al Mamzar lagoon to show directions and wind speed.

The towers will also be equipped with X-rays that allow night vision. The marine rescue squad personnel will be stationed at these towers in every morning and evening, being peak times for beach goers and sea-farers.

Colonel Abdullah Mubarak Al Dukhan, director of the operations department at Sharjah police said security and safety measures have been taken at all the Sharjah beaches. Rapid intervention patrols have also been added to provide services to any emergency

GULF TODAY

No respite from heat this month

DUBAI - AUG 07: No respite from the fiery sun is in sight for nearly at least one more month as the minimum temperature is also on higher side, making even morning hours very uncomfortable.

Duty Forecaster at Dubai International Airport, Dr S.K. Gupta said that the comfort index was recorded six at 4 am on Monday.

"A comfort index of six is considered as very uncomfortable condition," he said.

He said that the comfort index climbed even up to 9 (maximum figure 10) in August last year.

Explaining the reason behind such a high comfort index even during the morning hours, he said that the minimum temperature was as high as 33.7 degree celsius, nearly four degree higher than the mean minimum temperature of 30.1 degree celsius.

The high minimum temperature, combined with high level of humidity was the main contributing factor for such a high comfort index at that point of time.

Dubai recorded the maximum temperature of 41.4 degree celsius only on Monday but rise in the humidity level has helped the comfort index climb the scale.

"The north westerly flow is bringing moisture to the land," he reasoned.

He said that September is considered as the foggiest month (on an average 2.2 days) during the summer while March as the foggiest month during winter (2.7 days).

He said that maximum of six foggy nights have been recorded in September while nine in March so far.

"On an average, one day of August is foggy," he informed and added by quoting records of the last several years that we have maximum of four foggy nights in August so far.

He said that the foggy condition would first develop over the desert areas, moving to Dubai and coastal areas at a later stage.

"The mean maximum temperature for September is 38.8 degree celsius," Dr. Gupta stated on the basis of records compiled for the last 26 years.

He said that the mean maximum temperature calculated for July (40.8 degree celsius) and August (41.2 degree celsius) this year is very normal to the curve.

GULF TODAY