I refer to the article Midday break for UAE labourers set to begin on June 15 (June 1). The least that could be done is provide each work site or area with an air-conditioned trailer for resting. It is terrible that they have to find refuge from the sun and heat in the shade of a tree.
Amanda Kalmbach, Abu Dhabi
What’s the point if they have to take their break under a tree in this scorching heat? I go around and distribute water to them.
Rejane Serao, Abu Dhabi
It’s sad that these men work so hard under extreme conditions with little monetary compensation and not the best living conditions. They deserve more.
Dolores Basilio, US
Rising divorce rates sign of a changing society
Justin Thomas's opinion article In the Gulf, marriage falters while divorce prospers (June 1) makes it blatantly obvious that times are changing. If the divorce rates are anything to go by, arranged marriages don't work, marrying young doesn't work and women want to educate themselves and pursue careers. Women are far more independent these days.
There’s nothing wrong with having a career and enjoying life, then finding love and marrying later on, if that’s what suits someone. Marriage should not be the be-all and end-all.
Emma Schlegel, Dubai
First, we must stop labelling unmarried women as “spinsters”. That ’s a start. I know it may be shocking to some, but a lot of women don’t define their femininity or their womanhood by being a man’s wife.
Second, more and more women are realising their worth and not settling for just any man in order to say they are married. A lot of women actually want companionship, honesty, commitment and equal partnership in their marriages.
If they know they won’t have that, then they might choose to stay single.
Andrea Andi Tee, Abu Dhabi
Reading in digital age is different
Regarding Rana Askoul's opinion article The six-minute reading habit must be overcome (June 3), one doesn't need to read only novels and poetry. Reading is different in the digital age.
This means that we read different things in different ways. I believe everyone reads about subjects they are interested in. The problem is that the definition of reading is still narrow and traditional.
Maryam Al Hersi, Dubai
Tough to leave children behind
I don’t understand how mothers can leave their children to be raised by their grandmothers, especially those who come here to work as housemaids, and end up raising other people’s kids (A place called home, June 3).
I am not judging them, I do wonder about it though. Is it worth the sacrifice considering the small amount of money they make?
I have met so many people here who are really enjoying their lives, although they have left their children behind. It’s an interesting phenomenon to say the least.
Christina Murphy, Abu Dhabi
Turn off engine at petrol station
This is in reference to your articles Vehicle fire at Dubai petrol station (May 30) and Refuelling your car is treated too casually in the UAE (June 2).
Instead of merely appealing to motorists to be careful, I think it would be helpful if cars sold here were required to have a mechanism whereby they cannot be refuelled unless the engine is switched off.
For example, my car requires the ignition key to open the lid of the fuel tank. While this simple mechanism will work for vehicles that require a key to start, there needs to be another technique for keyless vehicles.
NT Unnikrishnan, Abu Dhabi
I’ve neither seen anyone turning their engine off at a petrol station here nor have I heard anyone being asked to do that. It is common practice in the US. I hope no one was hurt.
Christie King Eckardt, Abu Dhabi
Those who don’t want to turn the engine off should not be allowed to fill up at a petrol station.
Elham Kakar, Abu Dhabi
