Military response not the right solution

Why can't America face its own problems instead of throwing its weight around, a reader asks. Other letter topics: domestic servants, the IMF, dishonest employees, and Indian businessmen.

The US naval presence in the Gulf, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, must not be a spark for war, one reader warns. AFP
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I see two key steps to protecting maids in the future (Law to protect maids and employers, January 23).

First, only original, authenticated contracts signed by the UAE employer should be sent to the country of origin. This will stop agents in those countries from lying about the job on offer, and prevent the unscrupulous from trying to modify contracts on arrival.

And second, immigration officials should give a receipt for the passport of anybody on a domestic visa and hand the original passport to the concerned embassy. That way embassies will know where their most vulnerable nationals are located or, at least, who is responsible for them.

Kieran Aust, UK

Is live-in help really a luxury, or not?

I enjoyed reading the views of Jane, the expatriate mum (Helpless with help, January 24) about children who are spoiled by having a maid. I can reassure her that a growing number of women are choosing not to have help and are raising their children to do the chores we all faced as we grew up.

Several of my friends and I have never had live-in help and I am pleased to say that both my children are good at cleaning and tidying. We have the usual rows about clearing the table and making beds but this is a normal part of growing up.

There is great self respect in taking care of your own house and washing your own car. Thanks for this excellent feature.

Nargis Walker, Abu Dhabi

Give Gulf states bigger role in IMF

It is indeed heartening that Prince Turki Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia recently urged the International Monetary Fund to allow Gulf states to have a bigger say in the global economic order, in return for their contribution of billions dollars to the distressed economies of Europe (Gulf call for bigger role in IMF after euro rescue, January 24).

I strongly believe that what is urgently needed is a thorough review of the present system of international trade in goods and services, through an outdated system of "single reserve currency" rather than "a basket of several reserve currencies".

MH Nayak, Abu Dhabi

Better controls for contracts in order

This matter raises a number of important questions (Car boasts lead to prison cell, January 24). Who is to blame in this case? The employee who committed the crime? The contractor who offered the bribe? The company that neglected to implement proper controls?

While it's difficult to detect dishonest employees at the recruitment stage, companies have the prerogative to conduct background checks and request statements of good character.

No mention was made of the consequences for the contractor who offered the bribe. It appears that Nakheel lacked the proper controls, which if implemented could have prevented such an occurrence.

In most large organisations that engage in high-value contracts, the procurement process requires all awards to be assessed by a tenders committee, which comprises representatives from various departments - legal, finance, engineering and purchasing. In cases of multimillion dirham contracts, members of the board are required to sit on the committee.

When the award of a tender depends on multiple persons, the likelihood of corruption is significantly reduced.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

War won't solve America's troubles

The editorial Now is time for a deep breath on Iran crisis (January 20) got me thinking. Why can't America concentrate on its own problems? War is not the answer. Let us pray that there will be no war in this region anymore.

Mohamed Ismail, Sharjah

India's financial might not valued

Though India and Indians have been major contributors to every aspect of growth in UAE and the GCC, the treatment they receive is not what they deserve (Indian tycoons help put Dubai on top of billionaire list, January 25).

There is an over-dependence on western CEOs and western financial policies. When western business leaders can't run their own economies properly how is it that they can run other countries.

Look at India. At the peak of recession when Europe and US were reeling, India was growing at 6 or 7 per cent. If Indian businesses shut shop it will be the beginning of a catastrophe in this part of the world.

KB Vijayakumar, Dubai