Port outsourcing no cause for concern

A reader says India need not be worried about the outsourcing of the contract to run Pakistan's Gwadar port. Other topics: private-sector jobs, bad driving and bad behaviour.

A reader says India has no need to be concerned about outsourcing at Gwadar port in Pakistan. Nadeem Khawer / EPA

Survey reveals list of concerns over private-sector jobs

I read with interest Ghobash: nation is at a jobs crossroads (February 19) discussing Emirati employment in the private sector.

The government is correct to point to the gap in pay and working hours between the public and private sectors as a contributing factor to why Emiratis preferentially seek employment in the public sector.

However, the Qudurat survey conducted by my company, Aon Hewitt MENA, covering 8,000 employees in the Gulf, clearly shows that Emiratis are not solely focused on pay and working hours.

The survey results indicate that while pay and working hours are parts of the mix, Emiratis also cited learning and development, career growth and confidence in leadership as key drivers in selecting their employment.

Indeed, pay was rated as only the fourth most important factor. Furthermore, the sample of Gulf citizens surveyed reported significantly higher levels of engagement in the private sector (55 per cent) than in the public sector (30 per cent).

Hence the employee value proposition for the private sector should be centred on these same factors, rather than focusing solely on pay and working hours.

Markus Wiesner, CEO, Aon Hewitt, Abu Dhabi

The UAE government's move to bridge the public-private sector gap is a great news for Emiratis. It will surely make the private sector more attractive to them.

However, many private-sector employees are not satisfied with the benefits that they are getting.

Since the economic recession began in 2008, many companies have not considered the increasing costs of living, and employees have been working for the same salary for years.

Some employers are taking undue advantage of the subdued job market despite the sound financial condition of their companies.

I hope that the government will issue some regulations and guidelines with regard to salaries in private sector companies. Muneer Ahmad, Abu Dhabi

Outsourcing is a normal process

The Indian media has gone into overdrive regarding the Gwadar Port operational contract awarded to the China Overseas Port Holding Authority by Pakistan.

The paranoia is as misplaced as the fears that were hyped up surrounding DP World's international interests.

Outsourcing the operational function of such key infrastructure projects to professional outfits is the right of every sovereign country.

What is all the fuss about?

Mohammad Hamza, Dubai

Bad driving isn't just about time

I am afraid that the recent experiment timing different road journey times from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, Lane-to-lane weavers are going nowhere fast (February 17), somewhat misses the point.

Drivers don't drive fast and switch lanes recklessly to save time. They drive dangerously because they enjoy driving dangerously.

Unless their behaviour is controlled and restricted by the police and the courts, driving in the UAE will continue to be an unpredictable and hazardous experience. Donna Willis, Abu Dhabi

Colonial attitudes inform behaviour

In reference to Envoys tweet on how not to be a twit (February 18), the problem is that some Britons forget that theirs is not a colonising nation any more.

They think that British rule applies around the world.

Kate Mullins, Dubai

US has nothing to gain in Syria

I am writing in response to Tony Karon's analysis piece, Syria's strategic stalemate made worse by US inaction (February 20).

I have no doubt that the regime of Bashar Al Assad is going to fall, but I worry about what or who will replace it.

Everywhere the United States has acted in the Muslim world, it has been condemned for its actions.

The US took the position of opposing Hosni Mubarak, and what Egypt has now is not what those original protesters in Tahrir Square wanted.

Extreme Islamists are waiting in the wings to profit from innocent people's deaths in Syria.

Should the US support a group that will turn around and bite it on the hand?

I don't think so.

Frank Burkhardt, US