Control rent malpractices
Referring to "Key money puts Abu Dhabi rents beyond reach" (Gulf News, July 13), I don't completely agree with the reason for high rents. Rents are increasing and it's not because of the watchman except in some rare cases. It's due to the lack of a controlling authority. Many owners ask their tenants to vacate for a higher rent, or some building managers charge the premium without the owner's knowledge. This can be stopped if people were asked for information about such malpractices with proof - such as currency numbers of notes given as premiums - to a toll-free number.
From Mr M. Hassan
Abu Dhabi

More banking woes
In response to your letters on banks (Gulf News, July 13), it's interesting to see the problem is widespread. I've had an 11-year relationship with an international bank in the UAE and had requested a personal loan to cover credit card balances. My accounts show incoming funds and regular salary transfers. Despite this, the bank claimed they could not verify my employer even though I'd had a salary credited from my employer for more than a decade. Seeing the poor service, I switched banks, but I see it's the same whatever bank you go to in the UAE.
From Mr H. Yousuf
Dubai

Insufficient reply
After reading the response to the letter "Costly loan" (Gulf News, July 9) the reason given by the bank clearly shows an incapability on the part of the authorities to handle an increase of customers. They should not make existing customers a scapegoat. They are supposed to charge a high interest rate from new customers and not from existing customers.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request

Inaccurate account
Kindly note that Ms S. Joseph, author of "Save them or free them" (Gulf News, July 14) is wrong in saying that the ‘tiger pond' had no water and zoo animals were supplied with "inadequate food". We keep water up to 3 feet in the tiger pool as we use ice cubes to keep the water cool. This and other pools in the zoo are emptied on all Tuesdays when these are disinfected. Smaller water tanks, troughs, etc, are cleaned daily and filled several times a day. Dubai Zoo animals are healthy and get good quality food. Look at the folds of fats under the body of a lion/tiger and the potbelly of all the oryx and hoofed mammals and you will understand how well-fed they are.
From Dr M. Ali Reza Khan
Head of Zoo Section
Public Parks and Horticulture Department
Dubai Municipality

Explain labour laws
I've been working in Dubai for the past four years and till now, I'm not clear about the labour laws. There should be a programme where the employees are given full knowledge of the laws.
From Mr A. Kumar
Dubai

Editor's note:
Information and reports on the UAE's labour laws can be obtained from the Gulf News website (http:// www.gulfnews.com) as we have published many articles on this subject.

False promises
I'm a Filipino trying to find work in Dubai. I have encountered two recruitment agencies in Sharjah who are enticing desperate job seekers with the promise of a good job and a bright future. Applicants are required to pay Dh50 as a processing fee for their CVs. I warn unsuspecting job seekers of these agencies. The authorities should clamp down on such agencies who take applicants for a ride.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Special thoughts
I am extremely touched to read "Privileges for special needs people" (Gulf News, April 23). This is a very progressive thought and will settle the minds of quite a few concerned citizens. The facilities to be provided in Dubai Metro for the physically impaired are laudable. We need to thank both the government and the citizens who have been compassionate towards the affected.
From Mr T.R. Ramesh
Dubai

Bangladesh is different
This is in response to Kuldip Nayar's article "Things are looking up in Bangladesh" (Gulf News, July 14). I don't approve of Mr Nayar comparing Bangladesh with Pakistan or India in many instances. Regarding Islamic fundamentalism, it should be known that hopefully Bangladesh is in better shape than India. Everybody knows that the BJP once formed the government in India. In Bangladesh, Islamic parties don't win more than 10 seats out of 300.
From A Reader
Toronto, Canada
Name withheld by request

Waste of space
I don't understand why the Society section in the Nation section of Gulf News Online was dedicated to "Prescott should be forced out of office" (Gulf News, July 10). Sure, there are a lot of British expatriates in the UAE but their views on their politicians are not a part of UAE society. If you wish to fill up publishing space in the future, let me know, I could give you lots of issues related to UAE society.
From Mr M. Al Banna
Dubai

Shocking poll
In response to your poll question "Should Zidane be stripped off his Golden Ball trophy" (Gulf News, July 13). I was appalled that 70 per cent of your respondents condoned his action saying he should keep the trophy. Does this say that sport has lost almost all of its basic principles or more about Dubai society which also seems to have a "win at all costs attitude"? Let's hope Fifa awards it to someone who upholds the spirit of the game and behaves according to the law of the land and not the law of the jungle.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

Wrong fact
This is with reference to "Collingwood and Cook lead England's charge" (Gulf News, July 14). It's mentioned that both the batsmen hit their maiden centuries. This is incorrect. In fact both the batsmen hit their maiden centuries in a match in Nagpur against India.
From Mr P.V. Saulin
Dubai

Editor's note:
The error is regretted.

Cross with crossword
I buy Gulf News every day because I enjoy tackling the crossword. Recently, it's become impossible to tell which crossword will be served up on the Opinion pages. We are now given the Daily Telegraph General Knowledge crossword occasionally, which is not a cryptic crossword. I hope the editor looks into this matter and reverts.
From Mr W. Dexter
Dubai

Editor's note:
Our crosswords are syndicated from the Daily Telegraph and since they don't work on Sundays we get cryptic crosswords for only six days. They provide us with the General Knowledge crossword for the seventh day, which we generally use on Sundays. We have been following this practice for months now.