SpringDubai

1. The Transportation Authority is going to build air con bus stops which is really a relief for many...it's part of the campaign to encourage people to use the public transport more often.

2. A piece of good news that brings smile to all expats here..
In the past,if your work permit is cancelled by termination or resignation..you will get a 6 mths employment and entry ban..totally. This is deemed rather unfair to employees. The latest revamped law which was announced yesterday lifted the entry ban.

3. Michael Jackson was (still is i think) in town this week. But I think his days are over. No more screaming crowd. He looks so pale...cosmetic perhaps.

4. Dubai is set to build a Dinosaur World..should be ready next year. Life size creatures...that roar (or is it growl?)...movements too. Over here, either they do it real mega or they wont do at all.

6. Another crazy project in the pipeline..approved. It's called the Rotating City

-twenty towers with revolving floors, as well as floating and "flying" villas

"The whole thing rotates," said the source. "You will be able to acquire villas, apartments, floating villas on water, [and] flying villas [that] elevate in the air. So you have the accessibility to a villa that not only rotates on ground, but it gives you up to a 15 metre to 20 metre up in-the-air elevation. It’s a mind-blowing project."

 

 

 

 

 

In Dubai, every taxi driver has a tale to share..and i like to chat them up..from Pakistan, India, Syria, Sri Lanka...etc some as long as 20 yrs here..they literally watched history in the making..from desert to an almost cosmo city...

Rony (not the guy in the picture, he's much younger) is from Sri Lanka, he lose his 6 mths old daughter, 3 sisters and mother to the damned tsunami. He and his wife are learning to cope and pick up the pieces again..as he said, tears dried up and life goes on. He is driving to make enough in about 2 yrs to build his house again..and he gets to see his wife once a month..she's working as a housemaid in Dubai.

 

 

Past 2 days, the visibility level in Dubai was quite bad due to sandstorms. Bad  especially for those with asthma...and also clothings out for hang...the fine sands will stick onto them...and by the time u bring them into your room, a little desert will be created...sands all over!

In Dubai, the government is currently exploring the VAT concept..value added tax...which i think is inevitable...with all the developments...infrastructures, amenities..etc u need funds to pay for them...plainly speaking. Therfore, the easiest way out is to implement the VAT.Somehow, I think the top guns here should stay away from countries like Singapore...(half in jest).. too many stifling rules is a killjoy.

There are about 300,000 expat PROs (Public Relation Officers) in this country, according to a local report. The job of a PRO here is very vital...he/she is engaged by a foreign company to deals with various government agencies. However, as part of the new emiratisation policy...this job will be given to only the nationals. In Dubai, there are about 24,000 unemployed nationals..to keep them out of social mischiefs (coined by someone)...this direction might ease the problem a bit. In Carrefour, it's not unusual to see NOW...local ladies working at cash counters..for 3500dhm per month. However, the big question is what will happen to the expat PROs who will be phased out in a year? and are there sufficient locals, keen or unemployed who fit the bill?

 

This is the funniest news I have read so far..and it's real:

A lady passenger (thai) was using her mobile on board a budget airline in Bangkok..she was told by an air stewardess to switched off. Next moment, she ordered a bowl of instant noodle..not sure which brand..must be the extra spicy type..from the same stewardess...

She smashed the piping hot noodles onto the stewardess' face..ooch!! she was angry with her for being rude...

Now, they are sueing one another..the culprit? hahahahah...claimed she was provoked!

Lucky...it's not curry or laksa!

Snakes are everywhere here in Dubai! Wait a minute..before u throw stones and cry foul..hear my sad tale.

Today, got a local manpower agent to supply 15 workers for the site. They came early in the morning for the safety orientation/security pass processing. Prior to that, I have collected copies of the workers' passports, visas and labour cards. Checked thoroughly and submitted to the main contractor for processing.

It was found out they have doctored 13 of the workers' documents. How? they actually used photos of the workers and pasted them on the documents of other workers.

When I confronted them..horror of horrors..no signs of remorsement..absolutely no shame..tried to explain everyone is doing it here..promised to supply bona fide workers to replace asap..I terminated the contract immediately