Letters from the past

Gulf News looks back over the years at concerns and issues raised by readers in their letters to the newspaper. It's a retrospective that offers an insight into the community, the development of the country and the people.

Without a star
This is regarding the report "Hotel meet may stop Colts bid for crown" (Gulf News, February 21, 1984). While I agree that Colts had five players from Hyatt, Sheraton and Metropolitan hotels, I am positive that the required number of players registered with the organisers was not 11. If for some un-foreseen reason those players were out of Dubai, as was their captain at that time, what would have been their appeal? According to my knowledge, test matches and world-class games have never postponed or rearranged matches because their star players were not available.
From A Reader
UAE

The forgotten
I thank Ralph Shaw for shedding light on the torment of people in Ethiopia, Chad, Mozambique and other famine-hit African nations (Gulf News, November 5, 1984). Are we incapable of doing anything better than stuffing our bellies? Everything we say and write is pointless if we cannot relate to the misery of the people around us.
From Mr Arif Ali
Dubai

Desperate to work
Two years ago, a local magazine dealt with the subject of the labour market in the UAE (Gulf News, 1984). It talked of the Federal Cabinet's decision to change certain visa regulations and ban job vacancy adverts. The writer drew attention to British passport holders who merely require an airport stamp, on arrival, to enter the UAE and find jobs without a work permit. This article pointed to the "no-visa entry agreement between the UAE and Britain" being misused by some companies taking advantage of facilities granted to Britons. This confirms what was written almost two years ago. I hope the authorities will give this matter due attention.
From Mr K.S. Shahab Al Deen
UAE

Working for nothing
This is regarding a report on workers being compensated for workers overtime (Gulf News, 1984). According to the Federal Labour Law of 1980, employees in the private sector who work more than six hours a day during Ramadan are to be paid for it. However, many companies do not practice this. In our firm, we work 10 to 12 hours a day without even a lunch break. Furthermore, we are not allowed to share a taxi to go home. Companies should treat workers with respect.
From Mr Solomon
Dubai

New accident probability
The new road system in Abu Dhabi aims to facilitate easier traffic movement in the capital. (Gulf News, January 26, 1986). The two major changes have been the replacements of roundabouts with traffic signals. However, a major problem is developing. Each intersection has a separate lane to turn left. What is happening is that two lanes are being formed for left hand turns - the correct lane and the one on its right, which is congested by impatient drivers not willing to line up in the proper lane.
From Mr/Ms J. Dibe
Abu Dhabi