Transportation for labourers needs air conditioning
For many, the UAE has been a land of opportunities. With some gigantic changes in infrastructure, technology and by employing thousands, this country has been built on the hopes and dreams of many families here and beyond. With strong legal bindings and regulations, blue collar workers, in general, enjoy better living standards than in their home countries. However, one issue that has been bothering me for years is the transport service that many organisations provide for these labourers.
The temperatures during the summer usually rise up to 50 degrees Celsius. In surging summer heat, the workers are made to use transportation that does not have air conditioning facilities. Moreover, it is common knowledge that the temperature inside the buses are much higher than the outside. Hence, the workers, after a hard and tiring day of work, suffer in the heat and dusty weather.
I personally feel that if the authorities could look into this matter and strictly enforce regulations so that companies provide these workers with basic cooling systems inside their transport vehicles, they would make a much happier workforce.
From Ms Fareeha Sultana
Dubai
A bad move 100 years ago
The Sykes-Picot agreement was the wrong decision to begin with, and the region is more divided than it ever was (‘The lost pieces in a puzzle still undone’, Gulf News, May 10)!
From Ms Sandra Debby Idebu
UAE
Facebook comment
What could have been
I wonder what the Middle East would have looked like if no agreement like this had been made?
From Ms Sheila Roberts
UAE
Facebook comment
Always the West’s fault
It always seems to be someone else’s fault. The problems in the region seem to have nothing to do with sectarianism, religious and ethnic rivalries, corrupt and oppressive dictatorships and feudal rulers, discrimination against women and minorities, poor education, extremes of rich and poor, or lack of investment in development.
It’s just so much easier to blame it on the West. But if people of the conflict-ridden areas of the Middle East want to know where much of the problem lies, I suggest they take a long hard look in the mirror. Dividing huge areas up into countries was inevitable. The Ottoman Empire had to be divided up after the First World War. It’s been 100 years since Sykes-Picot. That’s plenty of time to sort things out. More than anything else, it’s sectarianism that is destroying the region.
From Mr Michael Abbott
UAE
Facebook comment
How do you recover?
That’s a bit short-sighted of you, Mr Michael Abbott. How do you think sectarianism began? Who put those abusive rulers in power? Who exploited the resources in this region? By creating these borders and drawing lines on a map, they systematically weakened any political formation by the concept of ‘divide and rule’. How does one recover from that? It’s not like that was the end of European interference, either.
From Mr John Arthur
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
A personal choice
People come and people go (‘Are UAE expats opting to stay longer?’, Gulf News, May 10). Choosing to stay or not in the UAE is more of a personal choice, although most of the low-income expatriates have few better options. They often choose to stay.
From Ms Aira Camille Hermosura
UAE
Facebook comment
Job security is rare
To stay or not depends on the situation of the person. If someone’s profession and working conditions support the lifestyle here, then they would continue to stay. To have that job security and luck now, is quite rare.
From Mr Mohammad Soyab
Dubai
Facebook comment
Family sacrifice
Jobs are rare nowadays. Many of us don’t earn enough to save, so we have to stay. However, there is a problem, especially for blue collar workers, because many, like me, only get two months of vacation after two years of service. That means a sacrifice in family life. I think we should have some changes and more options. I am willing to take unpaid leave to spend more time with my family, as long as I am able to retain my job.
From Mr Anthony Mbugua
Nairobi, Kenya
Facebook comment
Here’s hoping
I did not vote for Rodrigo Duterte (‘Duterte plans government overhaul’, Gulf News, May 11). My vote went to Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Congratulations to the mayor and now president. Hopefully, under his good governance he can do right by Filipino citizens.
From Ms Sharon Siacon
Dubai
Facebook comment
Beginning of change
I voted for Duterte to become president. Congratulations to him. This is the beginning of real change.
From Ms Liza Duron
Davao City, Philippines
Facebook comment
Push his dreams
He is the best of the best that the Philippines has ever seen. I hope Duterte’s opponents and enemies won’t stop him on his mission. I hope nothing blocks his many aspirations. If he goes, his dreams go, too. His is a dream that should become reality.
From Mr Nabil Al Jabir Nalwah
UAE
Facebook comment
A new president
Let the change begin with ourselves. The Philippines needs a father like him, but let the country’s people be obedient sons and daughters.
From Mr Felix Brian Libradilla
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Proud of Duterte
Congratulations to the mayor of Davao City, Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, who is now the country’s newly elected president (‘Maverick mayor Duterte claims Philippine presidential victory’, Gulf News, May 10)! I’m proud to have this great mayor in my city.
From Ms Gina Omboy Gelvero
UAE
Facebook comment
Hopping for a better future
Congratulations to the Philippines’ new president! We are hoping for a better government.
From Mr Allanjen Catabui Acapuyan
UAE
Facebook comment
Healthcare needs to be affordable
Today, medical treatment costs are very high in India compared to the per capita income (‘Doctors break silence on rot in India’s medical sector’, Gulf News, May 9). Many corporate hospitals have links with pharmaceutical companies and are prescribing unwanted tests. They recommend surgeries, which have been appropriately mentioned by the two doctors. Despite this type of nexus, still, some doctors follows ethics and maintain the Hippocratic Oath and this should be remembered. Greediness and the need to amaze others with wealth are the main attributing factors for these types of actions. Will this nexus come down slowly and vanish? Health should be made affordable for all. The Indian government should monitor periodically and punish the people who are indulging in unethical practices.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Dependence on medicine
Something I learnt to live without, is inhalers (‘6 tips to manage asthma during summer in the UAE’, Gulf News, May 11). I last used an inhaler when I was 10 years old and my father told me that I didn’t need it anymore. My body was strong enough to fight any attack, so I need not depend on inhalers. My natural immunity improved and, thank God, I outgrew the asthma attacks. If you let your body depend on something, you make it weaker.
From Ms Sandra Debby Idebu
UAE
Facebook comment
We don’t know the story
None of us were eye witnesses in this murder case in Kuwait (‘Egyptian woman flees Kuwait after killing husband’, Gulf News, May 10). Perhaps the husband was torturing or beating her earlier, and this was self-defence gone wrong? She still was worried about her baby and did not want to abandon her child. Before judging and blaming, we must know the background.
From Ms Claudschi Beck
Vienna, Austria
Facebook comment
Planning to stay
Of course, I’m staying here for the rest of my life. The best gift my parents could give me was the option to live in the UAE.
From Mr Param Bhavesh Vaishnav
Dubai
Facebook comment
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
