Monitor what you eat
On the one hand, we see people dying of hunger and on the other, people waste tonnes of food (‘Community report in-depth: What’s on your plate?,’ Gulf News, October 14). There are nearly one billion malnourished people in the world according to UK-based Oxfam, and this number is expected to increase in the coming years. Most of us do not care or think twice before ordering excessively in restaurants or while filling up our plates. We always tend to take more food than we need to. It leads to us over-consuming or wasting. It is very sad to note that 24 to 35 per cent of school lunches end up in the bin, while there are children dying of hunger. Food wastage is a dangerous sin and this must be checked by the authorities if people won’t stop doing it. I think that food distribution to the poorer sections of society must be regulated by the government of each country.
From Ms Afra
Sharjah
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Creating awareness
I was pleased to read the special report about food prices, as such reports are essential for fast-growing cities like Dubai (‘Food prices on the rise in the UAE,’ Gulf News, October 12). Inflation is causing problems for us as we seek to hire new staff, and food prices contribute to creating a negative impact. We would like to hire more assistants, secretaries and drivers, but the high cost of living, which includes food and rent, is also a driving factor. I hope greater transparency will bring in more competition. Facing these high costs, we have big problems hiring low- to middle-income staff members and have to reconsider certain services and business activities in the UAE. We hope we will not be forced to outsource our human resources needs to other countries. Creating awareness through media coverage is essential – thank you!
From Mr Clemens
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Quality in question
I don’t mind paying a higher price for vegetables, but the value should be worth the money. Most of the vegetables are imported from other countries through refrigerated vehicles, then transferred through regular vehicles to supermarkets and then they are stored in cold rooms. When it comes to consumers, the product has already lost its texture, taste and shape. Nowadays, I don’t find any price comparison for meat, chicken and vegetables.
From Mr John Menezes
Abu Dhabi
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Increasing drastically
The report says that the price of milk has not changed, but one milk brand that used to cost Dh14 for four litres, now costs around Dh18. Similarly, all the essential commodities have sky rocketed. Basmati rice that used to be Dh105 for a 20kg bag is now costing Dh130 or more. I have been seeing an increase of around 25 to 30 per cent.
From Mr Salim
Sharjah
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Harder to cope
After rents increased, people started migrating to other emirates. School fees have gone up, daily necessities are increasing and it is becoming hard for the common man to cope. If salaries are also increased based on this, then life can be balanced.
From Mr Farooq Ahmad Khan
Dubai
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This is home
I have been living in Dubai for the past 25 years, which makes it feel more like my home than my own home country! It is difficult to live with rising expenses though. The rents are more than 30 to 45 per cent of one’s salary. The cost of utilities has gone up so much and not to mention the increasing cost of vegetables and fruits! Our salary does not match the increase in rent, utilities or food costs. It would be helpful if the rents were modified with a short notice period to vacate, as the case may be.
From Ms Anamika
Dubai
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Dominating salaries
Inflation needs to be a win-win situation with the consumer, but companies generally haven’t been raising pay, and are blaming it on all kinds of reasons. There are companies who try to get away with not paying their employees for months and this is not something an ordinary person can cope with. I hope the authorities work in this regard to overcome obstacles. The hikes in rent and essentials should be comparable with earnings. Currently, these hikes are dominating earnings.
From Mr Melwyn
Dubai
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Difficult
As our rents increase, prices of all essential commodities are rocketing. Unfortunately, our salaries are not increasing proportionately.
From Mr Muskan
Dubai
Website comment
Experience matters
I don’t necessarily agree with the use of ginger prescribed (‘Arthritis has little regard for age,’ Gulf News, October 11). For what type of arthritis has it been recommended? These treatments are less effective and also deceptive. I suffer from arthritis and in order to find a remedy, it is important to gather a lot of experience and knowledge. The diagnosis must be correct. For people with arthritis that is activated by movement resulting in swelling, this usually means that you have reactive or rheumatoid arthritis. One should see a doctor for the right medication.
From Mr Sarwar Jahan D.
Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Facebook comment
Brilliant idea
By measuring satisfaction across a range of services and providing this information transparently to the leadership of the country, the government is ensuring a real focus is put on improving its services at all levels (‘Dubai asks public: Are you happy?,’ Gulf News, October 12). From today onwards, all customer service agents and their back-office support operations will have every incentive to give their best on the job to improve their own rankings. In the process, this will help to provide great customer experience to their clients. Once again, well done UAE!
From Mr Fadi K.
Dubai
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Good gauge
I have had some terrible experiences with customer service, and a simple mechanism wherein people are able to share whether they are satisfied or not, would help a great deal. Transparency and accountability add value to any business process and I hope this system is extended to all aspects of the workplace. For instance, getting staff members to periodically assess their immediate supervisors — anonymously of course — with a similar system would keep employers on their toes and prevent them from abusing their subordinates. It’s a great idea, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in action!
From Ms Sophie Vita
Sharjah
Great, overall
I am extremely happy here, but I have one request — for the rents to be lower. As rents are a very important part of living, it matters, but I find that in all other aspects, the country is doing great. It would also be nice if there were more holidays. There are barely eight holidays for the entire year and many companies don’t give those holidays.
From Ms Tasneem
Dubai
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What reasoning?
My main concern is the rent and salary increments. It’s very difficult to survive when rent has drastically increased, without an increase in salaries as well. Also, water and electricity bills have lately gone up for no specific reason. I really hope the authorities do something about these issues.
From Ms Fatima Al Zahrah
Sharjah
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Can be hard
I came to Dubai seeking a better life and I am grateful for the opportunities, but at the same time I have learnt some very hard lessons. I am a stock manager at a shipping company and while I am working 11 to 12 hours a day and spending at least two hours commuting, it makes me dedicate 14 hours just to work! It’s hard when you do this, but you only get paid for eight hours and my salary has not been adjusted for the past two years. Sometimes it can be hard.
From Mr Rnajvan
Dubai
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