22 October, 2006

The next time

A recent post on Secret Dubai's Diary regarding the date upon which Eid this year would fall caused a whirlwind in commentary; sensible and not sensible; with various name calling and incredibly ridiculous arguments.

First off let me start by saying Eid Mubarak, Kil Sine wo Into Taybeen, Season's Greetings, and Happy Holidays to all. It is that time of the year.

If the US Postal office can find it in themselves (even if there is some huge conspiracey theory behind it) to print a stamp acknowledging all 3 major religions to mark this time of the year, wouldn't it be logical to assume that we as individuals can at least acknowledge each other with respect and admissions to the awful truth that life is unfair because we have made it unfair for ourselves?

The commentary on Secret Dubai's blog has proved that we cannot do so.

I feel the need to address a few things that came up in this blog though. Despite all the ramblings that took the form of sensible debating, I still can't put my finger on one person that was able to stay objective during all of it.

It's troublesome. Not because there has been so much time wasted away from regular mundane tasks and errands we are all burdened with but because there are so many people out there unable to recognize that we have the power to change the status quo if we really want to and yet they continue to attack the wrong people or the wrong behaviour.

And no I'm not talking about making the world a better place and feeding the orphans. I'm talking about simple exchanges of respect between people whether or not there are miles of cabling and monitors at each end to hide behind.

First things first:

The deliberation of Eid.

Fortunately for muslims in a way there is a regulating authority for judgements and fatwas that is based out of KSA. Unfortunately for muslims we can't agree on anything.

Fortunately, the prophet left behind him teachings on how to determine the start and end of Ramadan. Unfortunately, everybody wants to be boss.

And yet, millions of muslims look towards Saudi's regulating body to tell them that Ramadan is upon us and that Eid is tomorrow.

It's a societal dynamic. If I follow Saudi and I fast on the day they tell me to, then I am not making a mistake because I followed a higher authority appointed by God, the prophet, and the people.

If I don't follow Saudi, and I fast a day after or a day before, God isn't going to smite me. The point is, that this is a celebration for all and by default, the saudi authorities determine it and the remaining GCC countries follow as many other sinne muslim countries. The point is and remains, the joyous, feel-good time, follow your fast with good deeds time is upon us.

Fortunately for all muslims; innama al a3malo bil niyyat wa li kol imri'in ma nawa.

"Actions are determined by their intentions, and you are owed what you intended"

So if you want to fast and you have intended to do so whether or not you start or stop a day earlier or later than the rest, you're still good and god's going to credit you for whatever days you fasted.

Whether or not people choose to believe there is a government party tallying up how many days the public sector should get as eid holidays does it matter? I doubt there is but a society built on a shaky foundation such as this one with many cultures being forced into cramped quarters where tolerance is truely tested needs regulation. Hence the issuing of holidays to public sector as such and private sector following suit if they choose too. According to religious teachings Eid holidays are to be no more than 3 days upon which everyone returns to normal activities.

A simple blog entry and everyone was up in arms.

The whole point of having a Eid has been distorted over a ridiculous argument.

In any case, had the sky been cloudy last night or not, with the advancement of technology, those issuing the command on whether or not Ramadan this year is 29 or 30 days are required to use those technological advancements to determine such otherwise we could have had a 3 day sandstorm and the moon was never to be seen. Should we just keep fasting even after the 30 days?

Point is, conspiracey theory has no place in an issue such as this one.

Moving on to the expat vs local and expact vs arab and everyone vs the subcons debate that keeps coming up and up again.

It is true; the locals are paid more money for the same job. In the past little or no work was done to justify those salaries from non-local point of view. However, the alternative of having the freshly graduated locals with no experience sitting at home with nothing to do and their minds rotting is not a good one. It is the duty of those that run this country to their people to invest in their minds and talents however slowly the results come by. It is out duty to question unfairness but to also respect that when coming here we knew full well what the deal was. It is also our duty to do what we deem necessary in order to survive within reason. The argument that if you don't like it here means nothing simply because if you are already complaining and you had any other alternative you wouldn't be here.

Lets face it for alot of people this is a cushy life with over the top adventures and we're here because of that.

I for one could not bear the sub zero weather in Canada nor did I find it fair that no matter how hard I worked the slice of tax to the government just got bigger and bigger. Yes medical care is free but its well on its way to privatization and if I lived another year in below 0 weather I would have surely needed it.

As for expats: The majority of you get better jobs than your arab and subcon counterparts whether or not you agree based on the assumption you will be smarter, brighter, more efficient, more professional, and bring more money into the company because you are the embodiment of the blonde and blue. If you're from the west you must be better at doing the job than the arab I know will sit drinking coffee all day with his paper. A stereotype. Very wrong one. The thing is the cushy packages the expats were getting a few years ago are dwindling and fast. The other thing is its because the arab, local, subcon, talent came back educated from the west and the advantage the expats had has begun to fade. After all, we've all worked and succeeded in the same place you came from so why should the packages you get be exclusive to you alone. There are still some out there that enjoy it but they've been here so long whose got the energy to argue it. And just as there are many arabs and subcons that fake the working and spend lots of time chatting, blogging, and just reading the paper in their comfortable jobs, expats, rule the game too. I've seen it with my own eyes.

I won't begin to address the subcon issue with anything other than it is a landmine field riddled with every social stigma there is. The bottom line the treatment they receive is unfair and we all help it along.

As for arabs, well, there is no need for us to get hot headed about issues such as this. The same goes for muslims all over the world. No need whatsoever, you're only playing into the sentiment and stigma that muslims are terrorists by default.

You're doing fine as you are, we're not the only ones threatened by hungry Bush we're just on the top of the list right now. It's the oil and the economic value of the middle eastern region that makes us so important. Its the fierce unity we display when we all cry for the sake of our religion that scares Bush and his little helpers. It's the willingness to die for a religion and the commitment we have to it that offends them. This is not wrong in principle however it is powerful and can be a negative propegator. Bush had to come up with the fight for freedom and democracy to give the entire Iraq campaign a valid emotional cause that people could relate to and want to die for because we rule in that department. But if we are so proud and so closely tied to the religion emotionally wouldn't it be better if we tried to spread the word of our religion with positive messages?

I mean I don't practice but I do believe in the fundamental message that is Islam. I would die defending it but I wouldn't provoke an argument or use anything other than peaceful means no matter how futile or bleak the outlook is.

The issue that is lost on many expats or westerners is that we are not raised to do whatever makes you happy or comfortable in the confines of our homes. We are not brought up to think that our sole individualistic needs are the only ones that matter when our emotional or physical well-being is threatened. We are not brought up in small tight family cells or units with the focus on moving out at 18 and finding our own way.

We are raised that the group needs always prevail. We are raised that family comes first and that everything we do is to be in line with an expectation or expectations dictated to us about how or what we do with our lives since we are children.


We are raised to be proud not as individuals but as a part of a family that extends beyond the immediate. We don't have family reunions because we are continuously in touch. An aunt in Canada or a cousin in France or a great uncle in Brazil or a family home in a small tiny village somewhere are all weaved into the fabric of our lives since the day we are born no matter where we are born.

This includes christians and muslims alike in this region but to be truthful the unifying feelings among the muslims are much stronger than the ties purely built on arabism.


Some if not most expats fail to see that. They fail to realize that an attack verbal or more on a muslim value can and will cause uprise and uproar from the people.

Don't expect those that govern us to be a fair representation of who we are however. Democracy is lacking in our side of the world however that in our defense, the defense of the people that live under the rule, was aided and helped along by super powers that claim they are now bringing it to us, when they are the reason we have been deprived of it for so long.

That is besides the point however. What I aim or want or wish for is for people to stop being so judgemental and willing to label other people terrorists for simply getting angry over something that is considered offensive in our culture. I also want those that got angry over SD's post to see the humor in it no matter what the intentions of SD were.

SD's post although funny was meant to cause a debate. I don't know SD therefore I can't determine what her intentions are. I believe that yes maybe she does bring up sensitive topics in order to garner some kind of attention maybe not personally maybe to bring about change? maybe because she expresses herself this way? Does she get a kick out of it? Why doesn't someone just ask her that? I think I will. Why do you post such things without putting forward a solid opinion of your own? Why do you focus on highlighting the cons before the pros of this society and without an opinion that can be attributed to you? Why do you continue to do so even though you are fully aware of the fire you could be fueling? Do you get a kick out of it? Mind you SD, I'm not accusing you of anything I just want to know what has motivated you to keep this blog going for so long as is even after it was temporarily blocked? What makes you do it?

However, no matter what her intentions are it does not justify that the debate on her blog took the nasty turn that it did and revealed the awful feelings we all have for one another. We are all educated people with open minds - in theory -. Therefore it stands that this debate shouldn't have gone as far as it did.

Dubai and the UAE, has brought in so many cultures and so many types of people that the only unifying force amongst us all is that we all seem to be really good at complaining and questioning without much decisive action. This place will never be a melting pot because the dominant powers do not want that.

Remember, you agreed to all the crap you were going to get when you got here. No you don't have to put up with it or take it but you do have to form a comprimise between you and yourself and those around you in order to move forward with your life.

The next time you see a sub-con worker tirelessly toiling in the sun and you feel outrage for the way they are being treated give him a hundred dirhams and walk on. Don't even wait for the thanks.

The next time Etisalat and Dewa overcharge and underserve you, deal with it quietly and patiently and move on to the next set of problems.

The next time you work overtime for a week or 6 months maybe and you feel underpaid, find another job that pays you more if you can and if you can't invest in your skills and then find another job that pays you more.

The next time the Pope says something offensive and then apologizes for it, accept the apology and move on.

The next time SD posts a blog that you find offensive, express your opinion clearly if you feel the need to do so without resorting to name calling and if you're faced with a person that is not respecting you state how you feel without degredation to your ownself and move on. I've made the mistake of arguing with a blogger on my blog before and on his. I look back at it now and I regret I let my anger get the best of me no matter how justified I felt. It just wasn't worth it.

And the next time you feel the need to attack SD, don't attack her person, attack the behaviour and question it calmly.

32 comments:

Keef said...

Wow, a bit of sanity at last!

B.D. said...

Hmm, this long post got me to take a look at the SD controversy. Could you have made your point more concisely?

A lot of negativity in the comments on SD--along with some thoughtful comments. At least SD chose to make a point through a bit of poetry. Whether one agrees with the premise or not, the poetry is nice. Why don't more people try to express themselves in such a way rather than resorting to crass profanity, name calling, racial and ethnic snipes, etc?

secretdubai said...

SD chose to make a point through a bit of poetry

The thing is though I wasn't intending to make a point. It was just a quirky little sentiment that it would be nice to get more holiday. Much like hoping for a sunny day at the weekend (which we pretty much get every weekend here anyway!) or snow at Christmas (which we perhaps don't get quite so often here ;) )

Seabee said...

BabyK, the blogosphere is full of sad losers like those you're talking about. We'll never open their closed minds, so don't let them upset you, just ignore them.

marwan said...

"Lets face it for alot of people this is a cushy life with over the top adventures and we're here because of that."

Speak for thyself, BabyKaos. I am a sad lonely man who keeps the cats company down at the rubbish skip. The only Over-The-Top I get is when the garbage bags go sailing over my head.

Anonymous said...

BabyKaos: Liked the one about giving 100 Dirhams and don't wait for the thanks bit.

archer14 said...

Changing a job as you see fit? Not possible. Funny that you even mentioned it.

Want to donate to charity? - Would have been possible just 36 months back. Not possible anymore. For me at my current remuneration. I have always done my small bit, but as of now..I cannot even think of it.

Not speak your mind about X 'service provider'. - Haven't we perfected that in our social life? When was the last time you met someone who spoke his mind other than on the net?

Did you realise that we have already compromised? Yes we all have.

What you wrote was good though. Chicken soup for the bloggers soul..yummy!

Anonymous said...

I'm not going to comment on the deliberation of Eid but I will ask why you divided the entire UAE population into locals, the expats, arabs and the subcons. I hope that it's an honest to good mistake....god forbid if you actually think that the expats here are only the westerners.

I won't begin to address the subcon issue with anything other than it is a landmine field riddled with every social stigma there is. The bottom line the treatment they receive is unfair and we all help it along.
I'm a subcon, born and raised in the UAE. My family has lived here for over 30 decades. And the last time I checked, we were doing just fine. And we're quite a sizeable number in the UAE. All the subcons who live here aren't laborers and vice versa.

The next time you work overtime for a week or 6 months maybe and you feel underpaid, find another job that pays you more if you can and if you can't invest in your skills and then find another job that pays you more.
Say what? Now I'm convinced that no one has read this post all the way through.
How easy is it really to change jobs in this country?

Off topic, but you really need to work on your sentence construction.

samuraisam said...

"the intentions of SD were."

Here is the poem in full technicolor reproduction:
"Oh let Saturday be cloudy
So they can't sight the moon
We lose a day of holiday
If Eid begins too soon

Let's hope the sky stays dusty
And hides the moon away
For if Eid starts on Monday
We will get four full days"


I have no belief whatsoever that there is any hidden message.

The problem is this; people are visiting SD's blog and looking for ways to be offended. Which is difficult to stop considering it was blocked for being controversial.

The fact a large number of SD's commenters are morons is sad; but being that it is probably the most popular blog around .ae town it is inevitable.

The fact the UAE isn't an ideal society is no ones fault; getting a hundred or so nationalities together and being subjective towards certain ones isn't going to make a whole lot of people happy; but that's the way it is; and if that kind of stuff is supposed to stop someone blogging about holidays in Eid then it's just sad.

"It is out duty to question unfairness but to also respect that when coming here we knew full well what the deal was."

Sorry, I didn't. I grew up here, I didn't exactly have a choice; and I'm not alone in saying that. If you grow up somewhere, for better or worse you call it home; except it really isn't our home and we're all "temporary migrant workers".

At the end of the day, the UAE has developed far too fast and is going to take a while to settle; as for ethnic/class tensions, they've existed for a long time and it's easy to see why... Imagine you're a construction worker getting paid (if you're lucky to get paid at all) driving past people in the latest Mercedes model while being crammed in a giant ugly bus.

The UAE government has to work towards the wishes of a large variety of people; in particular expats, locals, expat businesses, local business, construction workers, oil billionaires (and the list goes on and on); if it does one thing to please someone it's going to make someone else unhappy.

"The next time Etisalat and Dewa overcharge and underserve you, deal with it quietly and patiently and move on to the next set of problems."

I'm glad you feel like going to Etisalat's office, getting a ticket, and waiting 7 hours; but some of us have better things to wait for, like our deaths.

When I see my families internet bill for 20 dhs more than I was paying in Australia for a idiotically-censored 8-times-slower connection, I find it a bit difficult to "deal with it" or be patient, especially when the modem goes down continuously as soon as I arrive here and I call Etisalat and am promised a technician the next day who doesn't even arrive (though one did arrive 3 days later).

It's difficult for me to be patient watching Etisalat suffer/invent undersea cable cuts shutting off the internet for an entire month and offer no one compensation.

As for their whole proxy-complaint thing; people I know have contacted them to complain about websites and their responses have taken more than 6 months.

I don't think you get it. This is people's only option, short of joining the write-to-7days crowd people choose to express themselves on their blogs and what is wrong with that?

inmotion said...

To Archer

No one requires you to donate to charity other your own standards and what you hold yourself against .. donation is not the only way to give back .. you have issues with your income and so do and so does the next person ... if you think about it .. it's never enough .. but that's besides the point isn't it .. I don't expect anyone to give anyone anything if they can't ...

changing a job as I see fit? you're oversimplfying the statement .. what was meant is that if you're not happy for whatever reason do what you think is necessary to get ahead within limits.. wasting your time feeling bad for yourself isn't going to do you or anyone any good

I speak my mind freely whenever and wherever I see appropriate for me .. on the net and off the net .. If you feel that you are unable to express your mind anywhere than other the internet how is that something to blame me for? or anyone else for .. last time I checked everybody and their mother could send a letter to the editor at gulf news, and 7 days was doing a pretty good job at pointing out all the bad stuff here

I realize alot of people have comprimised .. Everyone does at some point .. but when I said comprimse I did not mean give up on your necessary rights to a decent life ..

inmotion said...

To migraine

Here are a couple pills for you buddy

I didn't create the divide .. those with a chip on their shoulder did and propegated the myth .. I'm only explaining what I see

And no I don't think expats here are only westerners .. expat is everyone that isn't from here by citizenship ..

As for the subcons who work under unfavorable conditions and with little or no disregard for their humanity, once again I didn't create the issue, highlight it, or assume that all subcons are doing so bad .. you jumped to that conclusion on your own because you wanted to see that .. and I purposely avoided the topic because I didn't want to get a comment such as this one .. I still did .. Its impossible to please everyone

It isn't easy to change jobs but you don't seem to suffer from that problem or the many other problems the remaining members of your cultural group suffer from ..

You've been offended by my comment on some level because you think I think all subcons are somehow beneath me and the rest of the population here .. where is this coming from?

and thanks for the heads up about the structure of my sentences. You had to drop that in there didn't you. What exactly was or is the point that you are making with that comment? That I cannot speak or write english correctly? To what ends are you pointing that out? That your sentence structure is better than mine? Why would you even bring that up?

archer14 said...

I cannot blame you for literally exploding here. You live in your own world where you believe 'passing the buck' can help you to move forward.
And about the 'feeling bad about yourself' in the job bit. Maybe you haven't even heard of the 'labour ministry' and their laws, have you? Its evident you still dont. Why the hell do you think 7dogs and the other rags are chock full of sob stories? Is it because they never thought of changing their job?

About charity, my point was that inflation has stopped me as well as many other people from doing their small bit. It has nothing to do with those 'who can give and can't'. How about letting your brain comprehend whats written before you let your fingers do the tap dance?

Thanks for letting me know that 7dogs and their friends will help me feel better about myself. Point taken, Dr.Phil.

Compromising and 'giving up your rights to a decent life'. Theres so much you have to learn, because from the way you write - it seems you were born yesterday.

samuraisam said...

"If you feel that you are unable to express your mind anywhere than other the internet how is that something to blame me for?"
I'm not blaming you.
and I don't think you get it; there is a reason people express themselves on the internet and through letters to the editor; journalists don't exactly have many hard and fast rights in this country.

Even if I was to report something controversial yet fair on my blog, what guarantee do I have I wouldn't be arrested?

None.

"7 days was doing a pretty good job at pointing out all the bad stuff here"
That's because you read 7days and take their coverage for granted, if you're doing so, you're an exact ideal end-product of what censorship is supposed to produce.
Explain to me where stories like this and this are in the local press?
Can you explain why I, on the internet with all my mediocrity can express more than any local paper can and seemingly ever will?

Harsha said...

My fav from SD's commentors is Al republican.. Who can turn anything into a religious blame game. No matter how Dubai or ppl centric the topic maybe, he can turn it into an offensive ' my religion is better than yours' argument without even the slightest idea about the background of the person hes pointing at.

All that aside, for all those ppl who keep saying ' if you dont like it leave and go back to your own country'

Like, Sam, I was born and brought up here too.. all my life.. this is home and I know plenty plently more just like that. The only reason I can come up with all the cribbing about whats going on here is because we care, we want the place we consider home to be a better place and stray away of things which are otherwise not socially acceptable.

And as far as those stories are concerned Sam, the local press here, clearly was not allowed to publish it. Confirmed.

rosh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
rosh said...

"The only reason I can come up with all the cribbing about whats going on here is because we care, we want the place we consider home to be a better place and stray away of things which are otherwise not socially acceptable."

True that Harsha, I share your sentiments.

Anonymous said...

Nice post BK, well written

marwan said...

Word to Harsha.

Anonymous said...

Let's start by clarifying things, shall we?

1.And no I don't think expats here are only westerners .. expat is everyone that isn't from here by citizenship ..
Sorry, I thought otherwise....and to help you understand, I've quoted some of your gems:

Moving on to the expat vs local and expact vs arab and everyone vs the subcons debate that keeps coming up and up again.
So who are these expats you talk about?

And again:
As for expats: The majority of you get better jobs than your arab and subcon counterparts...
??????
You can't blame me for being confused.

The sentence structure comment is a fact...and for your benefit, I will explain myself:
What you said: The next time you work overtime for a week or 6 months maybe and you feel underpaid, find another job that pays you more if you can and if you can't invest in your skills and then find another job that pays you more.

What I read: If you're underpaid (for whatever reasons)in your current job, look for something else or if you can't; "invest in your skills" and look for another job.
What does that even mean?

Sorry, I find your posts too long, boring and pointless.

2. I don't believe I mentioned anywhere that you created any issues. You are what you write; I make that assumption since you've openly stated that you speak your mind freely.

Maybe instead of tagging all laborers as "subcons"(I believe I've seen a few Filipinos and Arabs in the mix), just refer to them as laborers.

The race isn't the issue here, is it? We're talking about basic rights that every human being is entitled to.

It isn't easy to change jobs but you don't seem to suffer from that problem or the many other problems the remaining members of your cultural group suffer from ..

I wasn't offended before, though I'm laughing now.
The subcons/south asians comprise 57% of the population in the UAE.

And we all have "problems"...LOLERZ.
I reiterate....I don't but the rest of the subcons do- you said it, not I.

(It would be funny, and a bit sick if sarcasm was your intent).

And you say I'm jumping to conclusions.

I agree with Sam. A lot of us ("expats", "arabs", "subcons")didn't have a choice, neither did our families. My family moved to Dubai in the sixties, when the UAE was all sand, and nothing else. I didn't agree to any "crap" I was going to get when I was born here. True, I can leave, but what if I don't want to? Should I just "put up and shut up"?

It's impossible not to have expectations and grievances; after all this is theoretically "home" for most of us.

SD singlehandedly revolutionized the UAE blogosphere; from spoilt expat teenagers who tYpE LiEk diS to great, thought-provoking blogs.

And for that, I thank her ;)

Tim Newman said...

Dear me! Don't tempers get frayed easily in the heat of the desert!

Some people take offence way too easily, and if that is a cultural thing then the culture is doomed to failure from the outset. Unless somebody can stand having their most treasured beliefs ridiculed, mocked, slandered, and torn to shreds then those beliefs aren't worth a damn anyway.

I have to say, the Russians have a far greater sense of humour, and indeed perspective. True, call on of them a goat and he'll give you a good kicking. But generally, you can make heaps of fun about their country and culture and they simply laugh and pour you another vodka.

Yup, even with the winter closing in without mercy, I'm not sorry I left Dubai.

rosh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
rosh said...

"I agree with Sam. A lot of us ("expats", "arabs", "subcons")didn't have a choice, neither did our families. My family moved to Dubai in the sixties, when the UAE was all sand, and nothing else. I didn't agree to any "crap" I was going to get when I was born here. True, I can leave, but what if I don't want to? Should I just "put up and shut up"?

Thanks - The pills were placebos. Often I feel, we are perhaps the forgotten ones - I can't call the land I was born & raised - home, because that's the law of the land (I am not saying this is a fault or otherwise). Part of the frustration is - I can't feel "at home" whilst at my parents home countries (India or the UK), because I do not fit in.

Few years ago, I chose to make a “home” for myself and moved to NYC (perhaps the most cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city on this globe) and here I have found several like I. I have a fantastic job, an amazing apartment overlooking the river and friends I can relate to.

However Every Christmas, I find myself going “home” - to walk the neighborhood I grew up, to be with the people I care for in life – to be around places, which made me what I am today. There are days, I wish I could do away with such feelings for good - wish I had a choice.

Anonymous said...

sam, the emirates evening post put up an article about the camel jockeys..out of the 800 that were meant to be sent back, only 300 were traceable and 500 are now 'missing'...

it's too bad that the evening post doesn't have a website, thou some of their stories are worth a read

i, Bobo said...

Unless somebody can stand having their most treasured beliefs ridiculed, mocked, slandered, and torn to shreds then those beliefs aren't worth a damn anyway.

Right on the money, Tim.

Unfortunately, it makes not one bit of difference to the audience you aimed it at. Independent secular thought with regard to the society & government is unkown here. Which means we live in an Islamic Mississippi until folks can place individual rights within the proper context.

Off topic: how much are one of those sable hats going for these days?

Prometheus said...

Woo hoo! This is getting longer than Tolkien's works. I add my irrelevant bit, nonetheless.

BabyK, sweets you need to write a wee bit more concise. I'm sure it ain't my Attention Deficit Disorder but reading thru this takes stamina and time. Both of those, like you suggested, are more required to 'deal with / move on' wrt Etisalat and DEWA. I dunno if anybody else faced this but meself finds no truth is 'you knew what you were getting into before getting here'. As an entrepreneur, all I got was superglossies extolling this Vegas of the East. And as Sam rightly said, what of folk born here?

Anonymous said...

Dear Babykaos,

I do not wish to comment on SD issue since it does not interest me.

Some of the other comments about expats however disturbed me and I wanted to share some thoughts re same.

Until last year, there were some extremely high paid jobs available in Iraq, due to the risks attached to a war-zone. People still took those jobs, and some of them died. By your logic, it would seem we should not condemn such act since these employee's knew what they were getting into. For this reason, I do not concur that this logic should be acceptable.

Please also note that UAE is a member country of the ILO and has ratified (confirmed, formally) nine ILO conventions including,
• Convention No. 29: Forced Labour, 1930
• Convention No.100: Equal Remuneration, 1951
• Convention No.105: Abolition of Forced Labour, 1957
• Convention No. 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958
• Convention No. 138: Minimum Age, 1973
• Convention No. 192: Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999

I am sure there is no need for me to go into how many of them are currently being adhered to (and that is not saying none of them). I also admit that UAE has come some way in human rights, but it still has considerable distance to cover. Taking the high road, and ignoring the rights of 75% of the total population does not seem to be the best road to same.

inmotion said...

everyone that has a comment on anything other then what I intended this post to be go post a thread on it.

Tim Newman said...

Off topic: how much are one of those sable hats going for these days?

Dunno mate. I'll let you know when it gets cold enough that I have to buy one. :)

samuraisam said...

"everyone that has a comment on anything other then what I intended this post to be go post a thread on it."

excuse my narcissism; but is there some reason why I feel you are avoiding responding to my comments? Have I done something to anger you?

Prometheus said...

Nyet Sam. Methinks, that 'go post a thread' thing was the official UAE response: "You have a problem? Go swim in the desert." And our suggestion box is directly connected to our shredder, please use the facility.

But I could be wrong.

Anonymous said...

BabyKaos,
I suspect your intent was lost somewhere in your meaningless, tediously protracted speech; unless your purpose was to bore people silly.

In writing, clarity and conciseness go a long way when you want to make a point.

marwan said...

If there was one. I lost interest halfway through War and Peace up there.

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