More than 40 bus owners threaten to move business out of Sharjah
More than 40 bus owners threaten to move business out of Sharjah
Sharjah: More than 40 bus owners have threatened to move their business out of Sharjah in protest at fines imposed on them for transporting workers from residential areas.
"I have received 13 fines. It is more than what I make from the business," said a bus owner who has had to pay Dh65,000 in fines.
His buses were caught and fined at the Cultural roundabout and at the Corniche Road. "I thought we were only prohibited from passing through Al Rolla," he said, suggesting that he might remove his business from Sharjah because of the "unfriendly business environment."
The owner said there should be alternative solutions. "The workers live in Sharjah and we have to pick them up to take them to the site in Ajman and Dubai," he said, voicing the opinion of 41 bus owners who earlier signed a petition and presented it to the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry voicing their concerns.
The fine receipts note that violators had to pay Dh5,000 for the "disposal of building material or debris into unauthorised areas." Company representatives said they did not understand the reason as it has no relation to the incident.
Bachelors
Sharjah Municipality yesterday clarified that the fines were levied on the instructions by the Executive Council of Sharjah, in a bid to evacuate bachelors living in 'family' areas.
"This decision is about the issue of bachelors living in residential areas, and the Sharjah government has taken strict measures to ensure that all bachelors are removed from the areas," said Abdullah Al-Shwaikh, Sharjah Municipality spokesperson.
"It was the government's decision to use Fine number 25 because they found it appropriate in this issue. Bachelors should not live in residential areas, and bus owners should abide by the rules and encourage the workers to live in industrial areas," he said.
As an alternative, Sharjah Municipality has instructed bus owners to encourage workers to live near the National Paints building at Industrial Area 12, or in Dubai.
