Labourers need adequate rest

A reader says mobile cabins should be provided for labourers at workplace. Oter topics: Dubai tourism, ISIL, accommodation

A reader suggests mobile cabins should be provided for labourers at their workplace. Lauren Lancaster / The National
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I refer to the article Labourers rue end of UAE midday break (September 14). If mobile cabins with all the basic needs were provided by the employer at the workplace, then it would be easy and convenient to work.

Such a scheme would have many benefits, such as workers taking a rest if they are too tired, which in turn would increase job satisfaction and improve efficiency. Their health would also not deteriorate because of a lack of rest at an appropriate time.

Shahina Afsar, Abu Dhabi

Dubai’s tourism industry has limitless potential

It's not surprising that Dubai is gaining popularity as a wedding tourism destination (Dubai booms as wedding tourism destination, September 13).

Over the years the emirate has grown by leaps and bounds, as a result of which it attracts tourists from every part of the world. The growth of tourism means that it will attract all sorts of visitors, seeking various things. The popularity of wedding tourism is just one example.

K Ragavan, US

Will anti-ISIL move bring stability?

There is no doubt that the emergence of ISIL has to be dealt with. Left unchecked and largely ignored in Syria, ISIL has swept through an already destabilised Iraq. The coalition aims to rectify this, but will it bring stability to the region?

Probably the best way to answer this questions is to imagine the end result of the coalition – either failure or success – and work backwards from there.

Failure is the easier scenario to examine. Failure means highly destabilised regimes in both Baghdad and Damascus, if not outright failed states. Failure also means that countries surrounding the conflict area will be fatigued and face a persistent threat with little or no deterrent.

Success is more challenging to evaluate since all the pre-existing ailments that preceded ISIL will remain unresolved. The regime in Damascus would still be brutal. The sectarian divide and political instability will still haunt Iraq as it has for so many years. Iran, though exhausted, will continue to seek hegemony over the region through its allies in Baghdad and Damascus, and the Arab states will continue to exert effort and resources to counter Tehran. The success scenario is a mere return to the familiar ground of a strained and unstable Middle East minus the ISIL menace.

That said, there is no place for ISIL in the modern world.

Hesham Amiri, Dubai

Inspections should serve a purpose

I refer to the article Pakistani expatriate suffering financially because of Abu Dhabi Municipality housing laws (September 16).

I think low-income housing for families should be provided, but it’s necessary to ensure that it doesn’t become rundown. Sharing shouldn’t be allowed for safety reasons, one of which is overcrowding.

Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi

While I understand the inspections for reasons of overcrowding, my school-provided villa was checked yesterday without any notification (we are six teachers, each in our own suite). We were then told that they would be back within the week to check that we had complied with their complaints, which were: bits of laundry on the floor in our bedrooms, unmade beds and any general thing that could be tidied in a matter of minutes.

I also had to send back the kittens I was fostering without being given a reason. When did they decide to stop inspecting for overcrowding and start inspecting for spotlessness? We’re not dirty by any means and we have a weekly cleaner.

Katie Marie, Abu Dhabi

It is sad that the majority of middle-income people are compelled to send their families back home because of the rising cost of living. There are countless people who share the same financial situation as Kabir, the man in your story who had to leave his shared accommodation, and struggle to make ends meet. It is concerning that someone earning Dh13,000 a month cannot cope with the high rents. What happens to those who earn less?

The government has to either introduce low-cost housing projects to accommodate these families, legalise sharing accommodation or simply ensure that salaries go up so the standard of living can improve.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah