ABU DHABI // While some washers worry about the summer heat, of greater concern to workers at Mushrif Mall is the effect chemicals they use have on their health.
“I don’t have gloves, so I have to do it all bare-handed,” said Muhammad Waqas Jamshaid, who has been in the job for a month but already has visible signs of deterioration on his hands.
Continually washing cars using chemicals with bare hands has led to the skin on the Pakistani’s hands to peel.
“Under such severe weather conditions, working 12 hours a day is a challenging task but I do this to save some money for my family,” said the 21-year-old, who earns a Dh1,000 a month.
“This month’s heat is bearable but the most testing phase is from next month when temperatures soar to 50˚C.”
In addition to health concerns, Muhammad has realised that meeting his monthly target is tough. “I have to earn Dh5,500 a month [in takings from customers] by hook or by crook to pay to the owner to claim a full month’s salary, otherwise the company would cut my monthly pay.”
At Mushrif Mall, washers charge Dh20 for saloon cars and Dh25 for 4x4s, meaning he has to wash about 220 vehicle a month.
The workers are poorly equipped, with just a bucket of water, cloths and cleaning fluids. In comparison, Al Wahda Mall washers have mobile washing tools.
Muhammad said he paid 235,000 Pakistani rupees (Dh8,500) to an agent at home to get him a UAE visa.
On weekdays, he said he washed five to six cars, increasing to up to 12 on weekends.
The 40 or so washers at Mushrif Mall work for Esteem Middle East Car Wash. The company has a system of washing cars in turn so that everyone gets equal work.
“We don’t get any commission. We just have tough targets to achieve, otherwise we face salary deductions,” said one washer.
Muhammad said tips were important but the amounts he received varied, from up to Dh30 a day on weekends to nothing.
Bangladeshi washer Habibullah Mojibul Hork said: “Generally we complete our targets. The company doesn’t deduct the salary if only Dh200 to Dh300 is less from total monthly target.”
anwar@thenational.ae
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For more on the UAE’s car washers:
The National speaks to the unsung heroes who wash the nation’s cars at malls up and down the country.
■ Special report: Stories from the UAE's car washers
■ Helping family at home gives Abu Dhabi Mall car washers drive to earn more
■ Finding customers is biggest concern among Ibn Battuta Mall car washers
■ Heat and humidity means task takes double the time, UAE car washers say
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
if you go
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Poacher
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
'Hocus%20Pocus%202'
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
HAJJAN
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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.