UAE | General

Residents complain about shirtless bachelors on balconies

Bachelors standing on their balcony partly dressed are making neighbours uneasy.

By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 October 6, 2006

Image Credit: Talib Jariwala/Gulf News
Residents complain about shirtless bachelors on A bachelor on the balcony in a residential area in Deira, Dubai.

Dubai: Bachelors standing on their balcony partly dressed are making neighbours uneasy.

Their building is located in Deira in the densely populated area behind Al Ghurair City.

Families living close to their building complained to Gulf News that the bachelors have made it impossible for them to sit on their balconies. They also maintain that some bachelors make lewd comments at women who are standing on nearby balconies.

"They stand on their balcony semi-clad and ogle at women," said a resident who did not want to be named.

The bachelors on the other hand said that they live in congested conditions and can't move out due to high rents.

They however refused to make any further comments fearing evacuation by the authorities.

"I have stopped venturing onto my balcony just because of them. I have complained to the building watchman but things remain the same. Initially when I came across media reports pertaining to bachelors being asked to vacate residential areas I felt sympathetic, but now those men living in the building right across from us have completely changed my perspective," said Mohammad, a resident.

Dubai Municipality has launched a campaign to evict bachelors from villas in residential areas meant for families. Bachelors are however allowed to live in flats anywhere in Dubai. Marwan Abdullah, Head of the Building Inspection section at Dubai Municipality earlier told Gulf News that the aim is not to make labourers or bachelors homeless but to create secure and clean environments in residential areas.

The civic body has launched an advertisement campaign inviting people living in residential areas to send their complaints to the municipality in case they face any problems in family residential areas.

The residential areas from where the Municipality is clearing labourers and bachelors are:

Al Waheida, Hor Al Anz, Rashidiya, Al Qusais-3, Mankhool, Jaflia, Jumeirah 1, 2 and 3, Al Wasl, Umm Al Suqueim 1, 2 and 3, Al Twar, Abu Hail, Al Quoz (residential), Al Barsha 2 and 3, Al Warqa 1, 2, 3 and 4, Al Mizhar 1 and 2 and Al Bada'a.

"I have tried to even talk to one of these bachelors but they just told me that I should mind my own business. I left it there as I go to work and my wife and kids are home alone and their security is paramount," added another resident.

Residents can call the municipality's emergency number 04-2232323 in case of any complaints.