Reader's letters 30/04

Be good to clients

It is so frustrating to know that people have to flee the country leaving their debts behind (Run For The Money, pages 6-7, April 23).

This may be due to the action taken by the lending banks while dealing with loan defaulters. There are instances where lending banks deposit the collateral cheque, even if the outstanding amount is only two months' instalments. While some collecting agents are well-mannered, others are really rude.

They will threaten you and not give you a chance to explain and, worst of all, they will call the HR department to inform them that their employee is a defaulter. All these actions are so demeaning and may cause a lot of stress to the borrower. And it may also lead to a loss of job. But not all expats want to run away leaving their debts behind. There are still good borrowers in the UAE who will work and pay their loans until they have settled their final dues.

Anonymous

At developers' mercy

I found your article Payback Time (page 4, April 23) very informative. However, it only gave one impression that investors have absolutely no rights. We bought a shop from a developer at The Marina Wharf.

The first instalment was paid in December, 2007 upon signing the purchase deal and the second in February, 2008 totalling 25 per cent [of the price].

The sales agreement was supposed to be sent by the developer within two months of the deal, but this was not done. In August, 2008 the developer informed us that the size of the shop had been reduced, but no agreement was sent.

However, the developer kept asking for further instalments even though the work had not even commenced. In October, 2008, the agreement was sent to us but with the original (large) size of the shop.

We sent it back for correction. Thereafter, the developer changed the size of the shop one more time but did not send the agreement.

However, his demands for further instalments kept coming and with threats. According to the original agreement, the completion date is August, 2009 but the foundation work has not even been completed. The market has dropped and a similar property is now available at 60 per cent less.

The new completion date from the developer is 2011-end. Name withheld, Dubai Protect the investors We paid five per cent of the unit price as deposit while booking a property in a Waterfront project. So far there has been no news from the developer or the agent.

How can we protect our investment in case the developer and the agent decide to run away? The authorities have to take immediate measures to protect investors.

Abdul Bolwar, Dubai

Catch the real criminals

We read about financial crimes daily, but no action is taken against those who commit these ‘crimes' all the time – the banks (Run For The Money, pages 6-7, April 23).

They charge their clients an insurance fee without seeking the latter's permission. If you don't pay your credit card bill on time, they block your card but if you spend over the limit, they do not try to block the transaction. Instead, they charge you an over-limit fee – Dh150 – if you cross the limit by even one dirham.

Also, at the time of applying, you are told no fee will be charged but even though you have not used it, you still get a statement showing a fee plus insurance charges. This is happening all the time and most people are bitter about it. Mansour, Dubai

Banking on customers

Despite reading stories about financial crimes in Dubai, I still believe this city is a wonderful place to live in and that both banks and customers [residents] will find a compromise to settle their disputes, because in the end both of them need each other.

Banks have benefited a lot from Dubai and now is the time for compromise. And more people will flock to Dubai again because this city still has a huge potential.

One should always remember that the police department here has played a major role in developing this city by making it one of the safest places in the world.

Name withheld, Dubai

Provide figures

“Also, while large numbers are returning home, a considerable number are leaving for jobs on foreign shores, so the total number of migrant workers is actually on the rise.''

Could you please provide actual numbers to substantiate this statement (Prodigal Returns, page 3, April 23)? Otherwise it just sounds like you were trying to end the article on a positive note.

Name withheld, Dubai

Editor's note: According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Labour, a total of 405,000 residency visas were cancelled across all the emirates in the UAE from October, 2008 to the end of March, 2009 while 622,000 new residency visas were issued during the same period.

In Dubai, the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) issued over 66,000 new residency visas in the first two months of 2009 while 44,000 were cancelled during the same period.

Not a good time for tea

The initiative by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police to curb accidents by not allowing motorists to eat, drink or speak on the phone while driving is a positive action.

But at the same time, RTA must penalise restaurants that serve tea to motorists. There are several places in Dubai and Sharjah where one can notice honking of horns and tea being served to motorists sitting inside their vehicles which adds to noise pollution and congestion on the road.

Azizshaikh Shaikh, Dubai

Great idea

I like the idea in the story No Water, Better Wash (page 8, April 23) because it always worries me whenever I think about how much water is used to wash my car.

The cleaning solution mentioned in the story will be very useful in saving water and energy.

Hamed Twinqe, Dubai

Women power

This is with regard to the story Women On The Job (page 11, April 23). It does not surprise me that these women are now starting to look for jobs but they are a blessed lot as they are able to stay with their families, taking care of their children and husband – all under one roof.

On the other hand, many Filipinas here earn a living while staying away from their own children or families back home and that is a great story.

The women featured in your story are in financial crisis due to the lifestyle they are leading.

Name withheld, Dubai

Great read

Your article Women On The Job ( page 11, April 23) was a great read. As a man and a father, I am happy to see that more women are taking the initiative and helping to bring home more income in these tough times.

All the burden should not be dumped on the men. It should be shared. I have always believed women are capable of doing anything they set their sights on.

But for some reason or the other, society still looks upon men as the sole breadwinner of the family. This must change for the simple reason that it is society only that stands to gain when women take up the cudgels.

Good luck to these women who seek to help their households and lead more fulfilling lives!

Ruby, Sharjah

Please help the child

Somebody must do something to help the little girl (‘Tortured' Girl Back With Father, page 10, April 23). After seeing the doctor's report, how could police release the father? Just think: having your legs broken and being at the mercy of your torturers.

The girl couldn't go to the bathroom, couldn't get anything to eat or drink. She just had to endure more torture. The people who brought her into this world will surely be the ones to take her out of it if we don't help her.

A very sad mum, Dubai