Treat us as equals
How do the authorities expect bachelors to rent out exorbitantly priced accommodations in Abu Dhabi or in nearby areas like Shabiya?
Nothing is being done to address the huge hike in rents while lots of apartments are lying vacant. If you reduce the rents to a level where a bachelor/bachelorette or family man/woman can afford the accommodation, then all the vacant flats will be filled up and the landlord will benefit in the long run.
Maybe the hike is not a problem for people working in the oil and gas sector, hospitals, etc, where employees get housing allowances which are revised according to market rates. But what about those who are not fortunate enough to get a decent salary raise annually? What will they do?
I urge people to treat bachelors like human beings too. We are not the sole cause of all the problems in this world. It seems we are respected only when there is work to be done and after that we are accused of becoming a nuisance and troublemaker. This is a double standard. Spare a thought for us and treat us equally.
Jobin George, UAE
We are the city’s lifeline
What is the reason for starting such a strict campaign to evict bachelors? Where will these people go? Bachelors are the lifeline of a city. They work in restaurants, groceries, laundries, bakeries, supermarkets and do odd jobs to serve the community. It is not right to move them out of the city limits and make them live in faraway places like Mussaffah where they have to spend hours on travel. Most of them have jobs that involve working 14 hours a day with some doing break shifts which leaves them little time for anything else.
The authorities could designate certain buildings on every street for bachelors. City planners need to take into account single men and women in their plans and should look to build single-room accommodation for them. Some do not live as bachelors by choice, but due to their job situation.
Shabir Zainudeen, UAE
Provide an alternative
Firstly, the authorities need to ask landlords to lower rents for families so that they will not sublet apartments to bachelors. Secondly, bachelors should be provided with alternatives if they are to be evicted from family areas.
Taqleed N. Sayeed, Abu Dhabi
Housing hurdles
I faced many hurdles while looking for accommodation when I landed in the UAE in 2006. So I know how difficult it is for a bachelor to find a suitable room. An option for the authorities would be to check if the employer provides accommodation, else they should reject the visa.
Asif, Dubai
What do I do?
I work and live with my family in Abu Dhabi in sharing accommodation for which I pay Dh2,500 monthly. I’m not drawing a huge salary and cannot afford to rent a flat. I don’t want to send my family back home and live in company quarters. I can’t imagine living without them. So what is the solution for me?
Otabek Toirov, Abu Dhabi
Low-paid workers
The authorities must intervene and lower rents. Salaries in some companies are based on where you come from and most of these bachelors who share accommodation are usually poorly paid workers from Asian countries.
Dannie Alagao, Dubai
We want our own space
No bachelor wants to live in a sharing accommodation. They would love to have their own space. But how can they afford it?
Maybe those earning more than Dh20,000 per month could, but how many bachelors draw such huge salaries. I heard that Arabtec has proposed low-cost housing in Abu Dhabi. They should have similar projects in other emirates too.
Jaleel, Dubai
Say no to low-paying jobs We bachelors are always at the receiving end, be it job, accommodation or work hours. I have some suggestions for them: Say no to jobs where the salary is lower than Dh3,000 and no room is provided. Turn down jobs where the employer makes you share a room with 10 other people. Say no to a job where there is no provision for a cleaner, especially where we have to share one toilet with 10-15 others.
Nadeem Dar, UAE
Affordable units
The authorities should address the provisions of affordable residences for low-income workers.
Khawar Sajjad Khawaja, UAE
Check the accommodation
The authorities should issue a labour card only after verifying if the employer has provided the worker with suitable accommodation.
They should also conduct an inspection and determine the condition of the accommodation, whether it’s suitable for living or not.
The appointment letter should be shared with the authorities while processing the visa, so that salary issues do not arise, thereby ensuring a worker can afford better accommodation.
Divya Srinivasan, UAE
‘They’re a menace’
The bachelor menace is all across Abu Dhabi, but the authorities are not doing enought to solve the problem. We have called them on the toll free number and registered a complaint, but until now no action has been taken.
On the Airport Road alone, between the Wahda Mall and Jawazat Road signals, there are about 10,000 bachelors staying on either side of the road.
Consequently you can imagine how many would be staying on the Corniche Street, Khalifa Street, Hamdan Street, Electra Street, Defence Street, Khalidiya, TCA, etc.
Hope you take up the matter seriously with the authorities and not merely publish stories.
Kishore Asarpota, Abu Dhabi
Bachelors not welcome
I live in the Nahda area in Sharjah. Though it’s a family residence, 80 per cent of the tenants in the building are bachelors.
These people are a nuisance for families. Is there a way we could get the authorities to move them out of here?
Ali Asgar, Sharjah
They don’t earn enough
I fully understand that sharing accommodation in residential areas poses a security threat, but at the same time I want to point out that these bachelors simply cannot afford individual accommodation.
They earn very low salaries, ranging from Dh1,000-Dh2,500 per month. With this kind of salary how do you expect them to pay high rents?
The authorities should first conduct a survey to identify potential areas where bachelors could be provided affordable accommodation, then only should they ask them to move out of family residential areas.
Raman Kumar, UAE
Pressurise the sponsor
No bachelor can work in the UAE without a sponsor. That being the case, the authorities should pressurise the sponsor to provide them with decent accommodation.
David Thomas, UAE