Part of the reaction to your news story about how some Emiratis find it difficult to get their first job, Emirati graduates unhappy with recruitment procedures (August 6), has been about Emiratisation.
My view is that it is the right of the government to decide whether or not to pursue Emiratisation based on a percentage of the workforce. For expatriate professionals who do not know anything about this country or its rules, customs and traditions, working alongside Emiratis is like hiring a navigator and a translator.
In their home countries, these professionals would pay tax but here they do not. From a moral point of view, I wish they would appreciate this and not treat this country as they would digging in a diamond mine.
How can people have an objection to this but not on the tax with which nearly all other countries bind corporations? In addition, there are all the privileges that these people get from this government.
At the end, there are good and bad people from every nation so it’s not smart to make one judgement on a million people.
Abdulrahman Al Rashed, Abu Dhabi
As an American living in Abu Dhabi who owns a small business, with an active sponsor who is both supportive and who works hard, it seems foolish to me when expatriate workers question the work ethic of some Emiratis.
It’s wrong for this kind of statement to be made by those who live in this country and enjoy the lifestyle, which is provided because of the way this country is governed. These people should look at the life they have and thank the UAE government for it.
In any country some people will want to sit around and collect without doing anything and others will pound the streets every day to get what they want.
I am a New York City man living in a country that has given me and my family opportunities and a good life. Certainly there are ups and downs, but that would be the same anywhere.
In 43 years, with the help of expatriates, it is amazing what everyone here has accomplished – together.
Steven Curbelo, Abu Dhabi
The UAE has an obligation to provide jobs for its citizens; and for companies that benefit greatly from the opportunities provided here, the least they can do in return is to help reduce unemployment among Emiratis.
Social justice is the way to a prosperous society, and decreasing unemployment definitely helps to achieve that.
Ahmed S H AlKhamisi, Dubai
Cheque law sends wrong message
Your story, UAE bounced cheque law hurts businesses, economists say (August 6), reflects a system that is a great boon to the banks, car vendors and the like because it saves those institutions having to go through the time consuming and costly procedure of checking the credit records of individuals purchasing goods or services. On default, they can use the police – or the threat of the police – as a collection agency.
I understand that a high percentage of inmates in UAE prisons are there for financial crimes, at a great cost to the state and depriving the prisoners of the ability to make restitution. While some would have presented post-dated cheques with criminal intent, I believe the majority did not.
Surely it is for the banks and institutions accepting this form of payment to carry out credit checks on clients or accept the risk that goes with the transactions, rather than leaving it to the police?
Jeremy Weeks, Abu Dhabi
In praise of staying for the summer
With regard to your editorial, Rewards for withstanding the UAE summer (August 5), this year is the first time I stayed and I loved it.
The heat wasn’t as bad as I was told and the whole atmosphere was amazing. I’ve decided to stay here every summer and to go overseas only at the end of the year.
Katya Martinez, Dubai
My husband had to work so I stayed here with our children. It was our first Ramadan and summer in the Middle East.
We managed to have a good time. We travelled to Liwa and Al Ain, enjoying half-price hotel rates. We also joined beach clubs, with great discounts and we had the pool practically to ourselves.
There are many new indoor play areas for kids, not to mention some nice Iftars we attended.
You can get used to the heat. My husband continued to cycle, run and exercise outdoors.
Andrea Richardson, Abu Dhabi
UAE’s aid to Gaza is commendable
In relation to your story, Dubai ruler orders resumption of flights to deliver UAE aid to Gaza (August 6), I want to commend the UAE government on always helping refugees in difficult situations.
Thank God also for the Red Crescent Society. Please save the common people in Gaza and places like Iraq, Libya and Syria.
Ayyathan Radhakrishnan, India