Eating up our disposable income
With the additional increases in taxi fares, I hope employers will consider increasing our salaries (‘Higher Dubai taxi flagdown rates,’ Gulf News, November 25). Currently, many of us are getting small salaries and we are away from our families in order to earn money and send it to them. Unfortunately, I don’t know how we can earn if each month our salaries will be spent on expensive food, fares and accommodations. We are thankful that we are staying in a nice and beautiful country, but employers should be considerate as well.
From Mr Leon
Dubai
Website comment
Be thankful
This is how it’s going to be. Everything will become more expensive, but I don’t think there’s a need to keep complaining about it. You have to start learning to say: “Thank God,” instead of complaining all the time. Look at the conditions of people in other countries. When you do, you will know that you are living a great life.
From Mr S. S.
Dubai
Website comment
Too much
It is not complaining! It is a fact that a person who earns Dh800 to Dh1200 per month cannot afford living expenses. How can anyone afford to pay housing rent, taxi fares and food expenses with that income? After all, many have to support a family also.
From Mr Altaf Ahmad
Dubai
Website comment
Praying for higher salaries
We are thankful to God to be blessed to work, but we are experiencing all these increases in school fees, rent, basic commodities, Metro fares and now taxi fares, too. I completely agree and share the sentiments of those who are praying for an increase in salary.
From Ms Cheryl
Dubai
Website comment
Long term benefits
I think raising the fares is a good idea. If you can’t afford it, get a better job and it will add more to the value of companies. Also, increasing taxi rates will encourage better use of the Metro, buses and tram, which is better for the environment than the polluting with taxis.
From Mr Will
Dubai
Website comment
Everyone contributes
The remittance tax for expatriates in Oman is a good move (‘Oman considers remittance tax on expats,’ Gulf News, November 25). I don’t think that any government can remain sustainable without the participation of the public. Each one of us, whether expatriates or nationals, is equally responsible and should share the load of the country. I do also agree that expatriates may reduce the value of money being sent to home. This is a shared responsibility.
From Mr Gopikrishnan
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
This will help citizens
The Kuwait residency cap for expatriates will stop people coming and that will help the domestic population to be even more self-sufficient (‘Kuwait 5-year expat residency cap a step nearer,’ Gulf News, November 25). I hope this brings out a positive change.
From Mr Vinod
Dubai
Website comment
Gives a positive image
After seeing the Tunisian scientist win the Muslim beauty pageant, I think she makes for a good representation of Muslim women (‘Tunisian scientist wins Muslim beauty pageant,’ Gulf News, November 24). It gives a positive image to the international community as well as the teachings of Islam about the value and morals of Muslim women in the world. Congratulations!
From Mr Basit Abdul
UAE
Facebook comment
Double standard
I don’t agree with restaurants being allowed to ban women from coming in, in Saudi Arabia (‘Saudi Arabia: Ban on women in restaurants draws praise and criticism,’ Gulf News, November 24). If men came in and misbehaved, would they ban men as well? Mostly it would be young males harassing or taunting women. Rather, ban single men. Women should not be suppressed whenever they are enjoying a little freedom. If women are banned from most of the normal life activities, which others enjoy, then such outbursts are inevitable from anyone with emotions. If they are given more equal rights, I think they will also learn to lead a proper social life.
From Ms Manjusha Jackson
Sharjah
Website comment
The ban is severe
I think that Manjusha Jackson needs to do a little more reading in order to have some social context. Single men have already been banned from entering into entire malls in Saudi Arabia because of reports of harassment and taunting. Although, I think that the restaurant ban is severe, I wouldn’t say it is a double standard. If men working in restaurants are not comfortable approaching a young woman who is on her own because of her demeanour, I think that is the issue at hand that needs to be better addressed.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Depressing
Discrimination against women in Saudi Arabia seems to be just increasing by the day! I have seen boards that say: “Pets not allowed,” but now a woman can’t either. It’s depressing and annoying to see this happening in the world.
From Ms Swetha Krishnan
Dubai
Website comment
Bouncers affect sportsmanship
Recently, Phil Hughes, an Australian batsman, was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery after a bouncer hit him on his head while playing a domestic first-class match (‘Phil Hughes collapses after being hit by bouncer,’ Gulf News, November 26). According to the rules governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), a batsman can deliver two bouncers per over in One-Day Internationals. I don’t think a bowler can hit the stumps with a bouncer nor can he attempt for an LBW (leg before wicket). I also think a bouncer is a waste of a delivery because normally, a batsman does judge the bowler’s line and length and leaves the bouncer without playing any shot. Action needs to be taken on bouncers. If the ICC decides to ban the bouncer, then this decision will further reduce the frequency of injuries that batsman face. It will also create a culture of sportsmanship as a bouncer is a delivery that a bowler intentionally delivers to express his anger towards the batsman.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Iftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Check equipment
Cricket is a game and such things happen. Hughes could have even been hit on his head while fielding! I believe he was wearing a helmet as well, so maybe it is time that the ICC starts inspecting the quality of helmets or any other gear used in cricket. I pray for Hughes and his family.
From Mr Latesh Lilwa
UAE
The value of gratitude
I feel that gratitude is a value and everyone should be worth it, irrespective of the fact of someone being an employer or an employee. Acknowledging someone’s work or perspective in front of a whole group is the greatest thing that an employer can do for his or her employees. A company cannot accomplish its goals without the support of the employees. And, if a simple recognition can boost up their confidence, I think there is no harm in it. It is a fact that a written note or a verbal appreciation by the employer means a lot for a person, and he might treasure it forever. I’m lucky to have my bosses recognising my work to the fullest. This force drives me to go above and beyond the call of my duties to accomplish the assigned responsibilities. I truly agree that gratitude is the biggest quality that a leader can have. Everyone likes to be valued. Employees are the biggest asset a company can have.
From Ms Shikha Dixit
Sharjah
Take care of your parents
The decline in the fertility rate and an increase in life span has resulted in an increasing number of elderly above the age of 60 in the state of Kerala (‘Rich elderly in Kerala check into medical-care centres,’ Gulf News, November 23). The shift from joint families to separate families began when there started to be mass migration in the 1960s, leaving old parents behind in Kerala. The higher literacy rate in Kerala leads to the mass migration, which is still on the higher side if we compare it to other states.
Some children don’t have the time to look after their parents who are running behind on money and instead are creating their own luxuries. Even parents at home are neglected. Their basic needs at times are not met and they are not provided with proper treatment. A recent survey I read said that there are more than 4.5 million elderly people in the state of Kerala. As a human being, we should give proper attention, love and care to our parents and should not expect any returns. It’s the primary duty of any child to look after their parents when they are weak and old of age.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
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