Daily News at a glance

Daily news brief: Sunday, 13th July 2008

Unserviceable debt drives more people to suicide

By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter Published: July 11, 2008, 00:50

Dubai: Rising debt has led to a rising number of suicides among Indian expatriates, according to an Indian Welfare Trust.

According to the trust the main cause for suicide is because people are unable to pay off their debt.

Suicides among Indian expatriates have been on the rise since 2003, said K.V. Shamsudheen, chairman of the Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust.

The trust has an ongoing initiative “Sandwanam” (Consolation) that aims to reduce suicides among expatriate Indians. He said debt has trapped many low and middle income Indian expatriates in the UAE. A good number of Indian expatriates could not even pay interest to the lenders. Main sources of credit are bank loans, credit cards and individual illegal lenders.

Interest rate

“The interest rate varies and depends on the source of the loan. While banks are charging up to 8 per cent for loans, on credit cards interest can be up to 30 per cent and individual lenders charge from 72 per cent to 120 per cent. The spending habits of expatriates and their dependents play a very important role in getting people into debt.

“Once a person becomes a non-resident Indian, the family back home will start spending lavishly without considering the financial situation of the breadwinner,” said Shamshudeen.

He said in expressing their love and affection for their families, Indian expatriates who fall in the middle income group try to meet all the financial needs of the family back home, sacrificing even basic necessities and taking out loans without regard for the consequences.

“If there is any possibility to get a loan from a bank that will be their first option. When they cannot pay back the bank loan they apply for credit cards and take loans from the credit cards. When both become overburdened they will take loans from individual lenders with exorbitant interest rates,” said Shamsudheen.

“In some cases the minimum payment on the credit cards is more than their monthly salary. Such cases are increasing day by day,” he added.

Shamsudheen has been spreading awareness on financial planning and frugality, cautioning people not to fall into the debt trap. “I have conducted 150 training sessions for more than 40,000 people all over the Gulf. The Government of India should also take the initiative to educate the dependents of expatriates to spend within the limit of their earnings, after saving for the future,” he said.

AD Municipality, MoL to implement new safety standards

By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Staff reporter / KHALEEJ TIMES) 13 July 2008

ABU DHABI - The Abu Dhabi Municipality recently organised a one-day workshop on the occupational health and safety standards for representatives of more than 30 contracting companies in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, according to a senior official at the municipality.

'The workshop aimed at completing a survey on the work sites to ensure implementing the safety measures to save the workers' lives and protect their health,' said Ibrahim H. Baqer, Director of Safety and Quality Department at the municipality.

Baqer told Khaleej Times that the Head of Occupational Safety and Health at the Ministry of Labour (MoL) and directors from 31 leading construction and contracting companies in the emirate attended the workshop.

As usual for detailed reading, please visit:

Team 1 Dubai : Your e-Home for TQM & Positive Thinking: Life in UAE


Management tip of the day:

When someone asks you to make changes to a draft document, use a different color font to highlight those changes. That way, the person can easily scan the document and approve your corrections.


Have a great day,

Ramesh Menon

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hi ramesh,

i think ur doing a brilliant job with these latest news.

very usefull..

thanks

Thank you my friend. At least one person appreciated my efforts.

Great regards,

Ramesh Menon

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Visit your e-Home for TQM & Positive Thinking: www.team1dubai.blogspot.com
*~*Team 1 Dubai – Committed to Continuous Improvement *~*
Music is magic, Music is Divine. Enjoy it whenever you can, Wherever you are. Listen to soothing music while you are online by visiting www.q4music.blogspot.com

Dear Ramesh

Good Morning

Its not that people dont appreciate. I am sure loads and loads of people watch this section on the forum without fail. But as they do this early morning and mostly at work, they find it difficult to key in few words even. Thats the reason why people do not type down.

So, dont get demotivated and just keep up the good work.

Cheers

Sajid

Your are correct Sajid
thanks ramesh for updatingthe news
a lot of people reading it , infact am a silent reader

Daily news brief: Tuesday, 15th July 2008

Face scan system launched at Abu Dhabi airport
WAM Published: July 14, 2008

Abu Dhabi: A biometric face scan system to identify wanted people and suspects was launched on Monday.

General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, inaugurated the scan system at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The system, the first of its kind in the world, helps to recognise wanted people or suspects [who are accused of committing crimes in the country or abroad] by identifying their facial features.

Price of medicines in UAE to go up from October

Abu Dhabi: The sick will have to pay more for their drugs from October as new prices have been hammered out between the Ministry of Health, distributors and pharmacists.

There will be a total increase of 27.25 per cent on 1,129 drugs priced in euros. However, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, will only pay a 5.8 per cent increase.

The increase comes into effect on October 15, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday. Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, said the Ministry will revaluate the prices in cooperation with the Central Bank after two years.

"We know the cost of living has gone up. The Ministry has been in talks on the prices with international pharmacies and distributors for the past nine months, until we reached this decision," he said.

Among the 1,129 drugs that will be sold at new prices, 530 items are for chronic diseases. The other 599 drugs are for non-chronic conditions such as flu which only require short-term use of medication.

Dubai public libraries to conduct free Arabic classes
Staff Report GULF NEWS Published: July 14, 2008

Dubai: Public Libraries Department at the Dubai Municipality will offer free introductory Arabic Language classes for non-Arabic speakers from July 19 to August 7.

The classes, which are part of the Arabic Language Protection Campaign, will be held at Al Safa and Al Twar Public Libraries from 8pm to 9.30pm.

Al Twar Public Library will host lectures throughout the week whereas Al Safa Public Library will host lessons on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Temperature shoots up to 52 degree Celsius in Al Ain and other parts of UAE
By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief GULF NEWS Published: July 14, 2008

Al Ain: Ground temperatures have shot up beyond 52C in Al Ain and other inland desert cities as south-easterly winds pump in scorching air from the Empty Quarter, said weathermen.

Dry and extremely hot conditions, particularly in the open, are unbearable, said residents as doctors advised people to take precautions to avoid heat related illnesses.

The Dubai Met Office yesterday reported a maximum temperature of 47C in some parts of the city. The conditions are much worse in Al Ain, Jebel Ali, Minhad, and some interior cities where the mercury has jumped to 49C. The dry south-easterly winds have also reduced humidity level.

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) has warned of extremely hot weather that may continue up to Friday.

How to beat the summer heat

- Drink 3 litres of water or fruit juices every day to avoid dehydration.

- Avoid soft drinks and alcohol.

- Use plenty of sun creams for protection from the sunshine. Check the sun protection factor of the sun block cream.

- Wear a vest inside to absorb the sweat.

- Get a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes.

- Get a good chap stick for the cracked and dry lips.

- Cut down on meats and eat salads.

- Weakness, mental confusion, and nausea are signs of heat stress.

First aid

- If someone is unconscious and has very high body temperature, he must be brought to hospital quickly.

- Meanwhile, bring down the body temperature by spraying cold water on the affected person.

Abu Dhabi outpaces Dubai in housing costs and rentals
By Suzanne Fenton, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: July 15, 2008

Dubai: The housing prices and rental prices in Abu Dhabi have overtaken prices in Dubai for the first time, according to the latest industry report.

Figures from the latest HSBC report show that the average rent per square metre in Abu Dhabi was $272 per square metre in the last quarter 2007 and $430 per square metre in the second quarter 2008, representing a 58 per cent growth.

In the same time period, Dubai's average rent was $343 per square metre in the last quarter 2007 and $420 per square metre in the second quarter of 2008, representing only a 22 per cent growth.

Similarly, for buying a house, Abu Dhabi witnessed a 61 per cent growth in house prices between the last quarter 2007 and the second quarter 2008, while Dubai saw a 37 per cent growth in the same period.

RTA to launch webpage for car pooling
By Joy Sengupta (KHALEEJ TIMES staff reporter)15 July 2008

DUBAI — A dedicated webpage to register private car pooling service, part of the government's efforts to reduce traffic congestion, is set for launch next week, a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official told Khaleej Times recently.

The service is expected to also help eliminate the illegal taxis plying on Dubai roads, the official said on condition of anonymity.

He said: “The new car pool webpage on the RTA web site — www.rta.ae — will allow interested motorists to register themselves online after which the authority would conduct investigations about the applicants and grant them the permit.”

A decision on allowing six- and eight-seater vans to start similar car pooling services will be taken in the near future. But, currently, only light vehicles are approved to offer this service in Dubai, he said.

He clarified that family members travelling together in the same vehicle need not register for the permit.

Once the car pool service is formalised by the RTA, the motorists have the permits will not have to worry about fines and penalties.

Explaining the procedure to register, the official said, "Motorists can log on to the RTA web site and view the car pool registration page. Personal details and the details and identity of three others who will be travelling in the vehicle, who should be employed in the same organisation, should be furnished in the application form, besides the details of the vehicle, he said.

Several motorists reacted positively to the new car pooling initiative.

If you are interested to do a detailed reading of the above news items, you may please visit the Life in Dubai section of my blog.

Management Tip of the Day

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things - Peter F. Drucker

Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results. - George S. Patton

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it. Theodore Roosevelt.

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Visit your e-Home for TQM & Positive Thinking: www.team1dubai.blogspot.com
*~*Team 1 Dubai – Committed to Continuous Improvement *~*
Music is magic, Music is Divine. Enjoy it whenever you can, Wherever you are. Listen to soothing music while you are online by visiting www.q4music.blogspot.com

Abu Dhabi contest for painters and photographers

__________________

Gulf banking sector faces acute human resource crunch


As if the geysers of oil were not sufficient, Gulf countries, and some hedge funds, are unexpected beneficiaries of the meltdown of the US subprime mortgage market.
While US and European banks are shedding tens of thousands to shore up earnings, Gulf banks face a crisis of a different sort - an acute lack of human resources.
Stories abound of entire trading desks in Dubai being lured away by competitors offering two-year guaranteed bonuses. According to one asset manager, the average time spent at a financial institution in the emirate is less than a year.
The international financial services industry has cut about 83,000 jobs, according to reports. For Middle Eastern banks this is quite an opportunity.

Jim Beck, head of human resources at Shuaa Capital, a Dubai-based investment bank, receives 20 to 30 applications a day. "Dealing with them all is a full-time job," he says. "When we advertised an analyst position, we received 45 applications on the first day."
It is not only people who have lost their jobs who are looking to move. While house prices tumble and bonuses are cut, the pay packages of those still in work in the financial services industry may drop by as much as 20 per cent this year, according to an April survey by Smart Cube, a Chicago-based consultancy.
Bonuses
Not so in the Gulf, where bonuses are expected to remain attractive.
"There are literally waves of people relocating," says Kristi Edwards of Hughes Castell, a legal recruitment company in London. "What is happening over here is quite scary, and the Middle East is booming." In the absence of taxes, salary packages have always been attractive.
But until recently a job in the Middle East was seen as a hardship posting - or the result of an inability to hold down a job in a more dynamic financial centre such as London or New York.
Gulf states are investing billions of dollars in tourism, culture and infrastructure. These investments are designed to attract not only to tourists but also the accelerating inflows of expatriate professionals.
Attractive Dubai
Dubai is proving a particular draw. Since the start of 2007, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has more than doubled its number of members to 675.
When the DIFC was being completed, it was hard to envisage how it would turn out, says Nigel Sillitoe of Thames River Capital. "There was a little Starbucks coffee shop and a few people walking around. It was like a ghost town," Now the situation is different. The corridors and hallways of the financial centre are thronged with financial professionals. To meet demand for parking, the centre is building a subterranean carpark that will house 35,000 vehicles.
It will be the world's biggest when completed in 2010.
But as much as the Gulf is booming while traditional financial powerhouses suffer, doubts persist whether there is enough business to go round.
Stiff competition is bringing down fees, while the battle for staff is fuelling wages and shaving margins. The promised listings of family-owned firms in the Middle East have largely been absent, mergers and acquisitions remain far and few between, and caps on foreign ownership in many equity markets limit the scope for capital markets earnings.
Another drawback in the Gulf offering, as far as many mature professionals are concerned, is the limited number of places in high-quality schools

Daily news brief: Tuesday, 22nd July 2008

DEWA brings awareness campaign to malls and private companies
Staff Report KHALEEJ TIMES Published: July 21, 2008

Dubai: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of water and energy conservation among the public under the slogan "Now that you know, don't let it go."

The campaign is a sequel to the "Your Decision Campaign" that marked the introduction of a slab-based tariff system.

The new campaign, which will be implemented at government departments, private companies and shopping malls, seeks to educate the public on avoidance of wastage of water and power to conserve environment and natural resources.

The campaign focuses on behaviour of consumers when it comes to wasting water and electricity, through visual and written communications collateral, giving facts and explanatory messages on natural resources and the importance of saving them.

It uses various channels, including posters, to convey the message of water and energy conservation to governmental departments, private companies and in shopping malls.

DEWA is putting stickers on water taps and electric switches and distributing booklets and brochures to employees and visitors. Moreover, the campaign also uses portable advertising billboards showing its slogan and fact sheets.

The process of electricity production in Dubai requires 7,000 staff workers, 1,219 kilometres of overhead lines and 2,129 km of underground cables.

Water production needs 43 desalinating units and a 769 km pipeline to meet the consumers' daily demand.

Mission visa holders must leave and return on work visa
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (KHALEEJ TIMES staff reporter)

ABU DHABI — Workers who enter the country on temporary work permit (mission visa) must leave the country and re-enter if their sponsors seek employment visas, according to a senior official of the Ministry of Labour (MoL).

This was stated yesterday by the Acting-General Manager in the MoL, Humaid bin Deemas, during the 'Open Day' in the ministry's office that was attended by nearly 100 people who sought to find solutions to their problems.

Bin Deemas rejected an application from a contracting company in the capital to apply for a permanent work permit to complete the formalities for issuance of employment residence visa to an engineer who had entered the country on mission visa.

"The engineer must leave the country because the mission visa was issued for three months and extended for three months. Hence, the worker must depart from the country and the company can then apply for an employment visa to bring him back and complete the formalities of either residence or employment visa," Bin Deemas clarified.

He added that the ministry allowed the companies to bring workers on mission visas for a period of three to six months.

The mission visa costs Dh600 (including Dh100 application fee) in addition to Dh3,000 refundable bank guarantee. This three-month mission visa is extendable at a cost of Dh600.

"The worker must leave the country and the company must produce a statement from the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) confirming that the person had left the country," added Bin Deemas.

According to the Naturalisation and Residency Department instructions, there is no limit on the period that the worker should stay out of the country in case he had departed after the expiry of the mission visa until the issuance of fresh employment visa.

The ministry' strongly stressed that the companies shouldn't apply to bring in labourers who were banned from work in the country as these applications would be rejected and the firms would lose the Dh100 application fees.

There is no need to attest the academic certifications of the worker to get a mission permit issued, the ministry said.

Management Tip of the Day

Disagree agreeably. Express a differing opinion by saying " I see it differently" instead of "You're wrong" or "I disagree." That polite response is unlikely to offend others and often launches a productive discussion.

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Visit your e-Home for TQM & Positive Thinking: www.team1dubai.blogspot.com
*~*Team 1 Dubai – Committed to Continuous Improvement *~*
Music is magic, Music is Divine. Enjoy it whenever you can, Wherever you are. Listen to soothing music while you are online by visiting www.q4music.blogspot.com

Daily news brief: Wednesday, 23rd July 2008

RTA legalises car-pooling

By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: July 22, 2008

Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has legalised car pooling by launching Sharekni, "a share your car service."

The move aims to give people a way to legally car-pool in Dubai and encourages motorists to share rides and cut traffic congestion.

Abdul Aziz Malek, CEO of the Dubai Taxi Agency at the RTA, announced the launch of the free service yesterday in the form of a dedicated website.

"The services comes after extensive field studies carried out by a specialist team in the Public Transport Agency (PTA) in collaboration with a global consulting firm, which found that car occupancy is 1.6 person per one private car and this is one of the factors that is worsening the problem of traffic jams on the streets and roads of Dubai," he said.

Malek said those sharing cars with relatives and friends need not register. RTA inspectors check vehicles only if they suspect that someone is picking passengers up on the road or using their vehicle as an illegal taxi.

Database

He said the those interested in car-pooling should visit the RTA's website to register.

The website offers various options, which includes a search to find drivers or passengers in a certain company or emirate.

The PTA will maintain a database of subscribers and car owners. Residents can log on to either one of the two websites, the dedicated website or the RTA's website, and register to acquire a six-month valid permit and be part of the car-pooling service. Parties may agree a fee between themselves or share costs.

Malek said the maximum number of passengers in one car is four and all their names must be mentioned on the permit.

Currently, RTA inspectors issue a Dh5,000 fine to motorists for car-pooling or running an illegal taxi. The fine is aimed at stopping people from using their cars as illegal taxis. But there have been numerous complaints of motorists being fined while sharing cars with friends and colleagues.

Mohammad Bin Fahad, Acting Director of Planning and Business Development at the PTA, said the initiative will help lower costs commuters incur by using one car for sole use in addition to reducing stress caused by traffic jams especially during peak hours.

He said it will also contribute to reducing emissions from the large numbers of private cars, which means cutting pollution. "The service will also contribute effectively in reducing the phenomenon of illegal taxis, as all passengers in one car will have to be registered and their names mentioned on the permit which the driver will carry."

For car-pooling register at website www.sharekni.ae or the RTA's website www.rta.ae.

Stress buster

Residents said the service would not only ease traffic on roads but also minimise road rage. Almost all of them agreed it would also lessen the burden on their pockets.

Mohammad Rizwan, a Pakistani, currently car-pools. He said: "Five of us travel from Sharjah to DubaiMediaCity. All of us hold valid UAE driving licences and own a car. Each one of us takes turns to drive the rest of our colleagues to work every day. In my view car-pooling has lessened the stress level when driving in traffic and getting stuck. We all chit-chat and reach our office in a happy mood."

Avinash G., an Indian computer analyst who lives in Bur Dubai, uses car-pooling to reach his place of work in Jebel Ali.

"There are four of us in the car. A couple of us get off on Shaikh Zayed Road while the rest get off in Jebel Ali. We are all charged Dh150 per month by the driver who runs this service. He is an office boy who after dropping us goes to work. He comes to pick us up after he leaves his work at 6.30pm. I have to wait half an hour after work for him but it's worth the wait. I used to drive and I hated the traffic. I only take my own car out during weekends or to run errands," he said.

Raziya Kazmi, a Bangladeshi who works as a secretary has no intention of getting a driving licence of her own. She lives in Hor Al Anz and has been making use of a car-pooling service run by an office boy. "I have been using the service for two years. I work in Rashidiya. We are charged as per the location of our workplace. For example I pay Dh200 a month, a fellow passenger whose office is on Shaikh Zayed Road is charged Dh250. The public buses are so overloaded and so I prefer car-pooling. It is economical."

To register log on to: www.sharekni.ae

New procedures for visit visas to start soon

By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter GULF NEWS Published: July 22, 2008

Dubai: Applications can be filed starting next Tuesday for new visit visas which were revamped under a Federal ruling last June, a senior residency department official said on Tuesday.

The new fee schedule for the visas, which range from visit visas to visas for medical treatment should have started August 1, according to an earlier announcement, but have been pushed forward due to the weekend holidays.

July 30 is an official government holiday. The rules apply to nationalities who currently have to get sponsorship before arriving in the country.

The Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and the Economic Department will meet with representatives of hotels, tourist agencies, hospitals and educational institutions on Wednesday to brief them on how the changes will be implemented.

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of DNRD, reiterated the fact that all visitors should have health insurance cover and sponsors have to pay a Dh1,000 refundable deposit.

He said the visit visa holder will be allowed to enter the UAE once within two months from the date of issue of the visa. According to the amendments, there will be 16 new types of visas.

Residents can apply for a visa for their spouse or blood relative. Expatriates will not be allowed to sponsor friends. And sponsoring other blood relatives will require approval of a senior officer.

Under the new rules, expatriates cannot apply for relatives who wish to come to the UAE for medical treatment, only hospitals can.

'No instructions given'

Typing centres still do not have a clue what applications to fill out when new visa rules come into effect.

"We are aware new visa rules will be implemented soon but we are still working on the same old visa and residency applications," said Mohammad, an employee at a typing centre in Jafiliya, Dubai.

"So far everything in our system is the same, including the online fees. So far, we have no instructions on the changes," said Ali at a typing centre in Sharjah.

The Federal authorities announced 16 types of visas and new fees under the revamped rules earlier in June. These include visas for medical treatment to entry visas for students.

Under the rules, expatriates are not allowed to sponsor friends to visit the UAE.

New visa fees in Dhs

Short Entry (visit) Visa - 500 (1 month)
Long Entry (visit) Visa - 1,000 (3 months)
Multiple Entry Visa - 2,000
Entry Visa for Study - 1,000
Renewal of Study Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Medical Treatment - 1,000
Renewal of Medical Treatment Visa - 500
Entry Visa for Expos and Conferences - 100
Tourism Entry Visa - 100
Renewal of Tourism Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Residents - 100
Renewal of GCC State Resident's Visa - 500
Entry Visa for GCC State Resident's Companions - 100
Renewal of GCC State Residents Companions' Visa - 200
Mission Entry Visa - 200
Transit Entry Visa - 100

Source: B.A.J./GULF NEWS

Management Tip of the day

When someone offers a less-than-stellar suggestion, don't tear the idea down or ignore it. Instead, use it as a building block. Say: "That's interesting. Who can suggest a twist on that idea?"

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Visit your e-Home for TQM & Positive Thinking: www.team1dubai.blogspot.com
*~*Team 1 Dubai – Committed to Continuous Improvement *~*
Music is magic, Music is Divine. Enjoy it whenever you can, Wherever you are. Listen to soothing music while you are online by visiting www.q4music.blogspot.com