The trial and the tired
Out of every 10 people you see, there would be at least eight who would be sliding the screen of their smartphone desperately trying to delve deep into their messages or trying to get connected or fingers sliding on candy crush (‘Lost and forgotten for two weeks’, Gulf News, February 18). These little sliders have entered the human race and the mind, attacking social skills. Though we may be connected to social sites, we are disconnected from the social world of real people. We find great joy to sit in one corner and relate ourselves to the world outside.
For many, owning a smartphone has become the norm. I myself am a proud owner of one. But the article is an eye opener to all of us who feel that relations could be built on phones or messages. Moreover, we even forget the place we are in or ignore the people around us as our fingers dexterously slide across the screen. Alas, the world has changed and it is at our fingertips.
From Ms Mini Pushpakaran
UAE
Smartphone abstinence
The Gulf News article about staying without a smartphone was astonishing. From when has the stupid phone become more important than water and food? I feel those who swear by the smartphone just admit that they are dumber than the gadget. To me it is the most irritating invention by mankind. And, as for social media the less said, the better. I personally feel life is much more peaceful without all this garbage.
From Mr Solomon George
UAE
More to life
I am a person who doesn’t use any social networking services, not even WhatsApp. I feel that staying away from social media doesn’t mean you don’t have a life. Many friends tag me as somebody who doesn’t know how to live because I feel that there’s more in reality than what Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or WhatsApp can offer.
One might miss out on certain things that are communicated through such portals like an online discussion among classmates, but it can be trivial. As long as there are the telecommunications and mass media industries working around the clock, one can remain updated with what’s happening around. If you’re so used to social networking it might be difficult to leave it behind. But trust me, life is much simpler when you don’t need to worry about updating your status, posting pictures, giving likes, comments and tweets and maintaining chatroom friendships.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Not accurate
In my opinion, this is not even an accurate salary scale that Hays has released (‘UAE salary guide 2015: Are you being paid enough?’, Gulf News, February 18). What we are getting from our companies is at the most 75 per cent of the salary scale shown in the article. Companies are very clever in the way they are able to get a lot of manpower for lower wages.
From Mr Alex
Sharjah
Website comment
Not true of all companies
This is very far from reality. How many companies have they surveyed when collecting these figures? I don’t think this can be considered as a guide. It may be true for some companies, but very few. Maybe at multinational companies this is a reality?
From Mr Taj
Dubai
Website comment
Reactions from higher-ups
I printed this page and went to our CEO to show him my position salary range to negotiate, but his secretary told me that he had already left with the same article. He was on his way to the company owner’s house.
From Mr Ashraf
Dubai
Website comment
Getting far less
The above figures for some designations are way too high and not rational. A point worth mentioning here is also the nationality of people employed in these roles. This data is not realistic as a whole. I am even not getting half of what has been written.
From Mr Osman Israr
Dubai
Website comment
Questioning studies
I graduated from a local university in the UAE. It’s been three years, and I make Dh3,000. It would be better if I didn’t graduate! My father paid Dh36,000 per semester for my studies. It was a four-year degree program. And now I get only Dh3,000.
From Ms Saadia Akhtar Mughal
Ajman
Facebook comment
Look harder
In response to Saadia Akhtar Mughal, I would advise that instead of being upset she should look for a higher paying job. Graduation is not a big deal nowadays. I’ve seen graduates working in petrol stations, filling petrol tanks for Dh1,200 and there are graduates who are CEOs of companies making Dh40,000. I am sure you can get a better paying job.
From Mr Nasser Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Call Hays
It’s good news and bad news. The bad news is most of us get a salary below from what the article has listed. The good news is, in future job hunting, we know where to go to get a higher salary – just call Hays!
From Mr Ryan Ortega
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Something’s not right
These salary values are either all fake or only applied towards certain people who work in their own companies! I’m a senior regional engineer for a company in the oil and gas industry, and I make less than Dh20,000. Now, I’m either in the wrong company or this article is based on wrong data!
From Mr M. H. M.
Dubai
Full name withheld on request
Now what?
Whoever has conducted this survey, please note this is absolutely false. Many companies are getting away with very less salaries than the minimum salaries mentioned here in most of the cases. I would like to know what this article is hoping to accomplish. Are they just wanting to show and make a false, but good perception to the public that this is what people living here are getting? In reality what they are saying is actually not true.
From Mr A. J.
Al Ain
Website comment
Be fair
Well, all I can say is that I think most of the companies are discriminating. They pay salaries according to what nationality you are. You work hard and when they know you can do everything, they will give you all the duties that you can do at a time, but in the end you will get paid less. Some people are almost dying from the heat, dangerous work, no transportation and house rent increases. It all seems very unfair! I have been working seven years, but I don’t get paid what I deserve according to this article. They don’t even know how to appreciate our hard work. I never think anyone is better than another. Let’s just be fair.
From Ms U.
Dubai
Website comment
Who is getting this?
These are unreal numbers because in actual companies, they don’t offer these good salaries. At least in Dubai, where I am working as a marketing manager and getting paid less than Dh7000 every month. When I demand more in other jobs, they simply reject it. It doesn’t depend on skill or experience. I don’t know who is getting such salaries.
From Mr Ahmad Wali
Dubai
Website comment
Good minimum wages
I think it depends on the size of the company. A small company won’t pay as much as the big companies. If most companies will implement a minimum wage depending on the job category, regardless of how big or small, that would be great!
From Ms Guerlaine Clemor
Dubai
Facebook comment
Implement immediately!
It’s really painful to see this chart as I have been sitting in the same position for almost three consecutive years and working for a multinational company. We really can’t get what we actually deserve. This chart should be sent to all the private sector companies and implementation should begin immediately.
From Mr Rayyan Abid
Dubai
Website comment
Consider other factors
I do believe that the information given is correct to a certain limit. I belong to the group who are getting half of what is mentioned above, but still the data collected may be from companies that are paying very well. Unfortunately, such companies are very few and beyond the reach of ordinary employees like us. This would have been more interesting if the details were based on other factors.
From Mr Mohammad Shabeer
Dubai
Website comment
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