Impressive support
I am a visitor to Dubai, and was very impressed with the city's participation and support for Earth Hour ("Dubai to switch off lights tonight for Earth Hour", Gulf News, March 29).
I enjoyed reading the reports of the parade from the Burj Al Arab and only wished that I had heard about the event in time to be a part of it. I sincerely hope that Earth Hour will become an annual occurrence in Dubai and worldwide.
As a city that uses energy, I think it is vital that awareness of how "every little bit helps" is spread throughout all facets of every community. Corporate initiative and support is essential for success.
From Ms Laurie Mills
Perth, Australia
Peace and quiet
My family participated in the Earth Hour by not only turning off all lights but also turning off all electrical appliances in our villa. One hour of no electricity usage gave our home a sense of peace and quiet.
No television, video games or blaring music from the radio was a welcome experience. In fact, I believe that putting this into practice every day would be a very good habit.
My children were able to gain much-needed exercise as they played outside during Earth Hour.
From Mr Jeffrey Amparado
Dubai
Our concern
A lot of work is required in training people to utilise garbage bins. Although garbage service is provided, people throw their trash in the vicinity of the trashcans.
The beach road from Ras Al Khaimah to Sharjah is a mess and every time people camp in the desert, the dunes are alive with garbage.
The authorities should not have to ensure the roads and desert is kept clean. We should not need workers to clean up the mess we leave behind. It needs to be the concern of all residents in the country.
From Mr Ken Shaw
Ras Al Khaimah
Observe the rules
The immediate services provided by the police and Civil Defence personnel during the Al Quoz fire were truly commendable ("Body remains found at site of Al Quoz fire", Gulf News, March 29).
They were able to control the spread of the fire and averted further loss of lives and property. But it is also in the hands of warehouse owners to prevent and control such incidents by solemnly taking an oath to observe the rules of safety.
As residents of the UAE, we salute those who contained this disaster.
From Mr Kalaimani K.
Dubai
Spend locally
As a 40-year veteran in the development business, I know that the actual amount disbursed by Western aid agencies is far smaller than what has been publicised ("Afghan aid pledges are empty promises", Gulf News, March 27).
It would be better to spend lesser monies than promised - not on foreigners - but to directly fund grants and subsidised credits to the local public education and health services, and primarily to the private sector.
Let local businesses expand and build infrastructure, especially schools and housing. This way, at least 85 per cent of the funds will be spent locally and rapidly.
From Mr Mohammad Cassam
Virginia, USA
Food for thought
Letter writers have rightly pointed out that Gulf News should publish the names of restaurants that practice bad hygiene ("Your Turn", Gulf News, March 29).
In Toronto, Canada, the practice is that all hotels and restaurants are compelled to hang a sign at the entrance after taking a food regulation test.
If they passed the test, the sign is green and if they have issues to sort out, it is amber in colour. However, if they have violated hygiene rules, it is bright red! Now that's food for thought.
From Mr Don Ralph
Sharjah
How loud is loud?
One of the rules of the road in the UAE is that motorists must receive black points for driving loud vehicles ("UAE road law makes a good point", Gulf News, March 29).
The problem is that there are no rules about the limit of noise made and no measurable definition of 'loud'.
From Mr Joachim Holst
UAE
Need of the hour
Routines went haywire when residents of Meadows and Springs did not have access to water for two days ("Dubai's Springs and Meadows suffer without water", Gulf News, March 28).
What could one do apart from becoming frustrated and complaining to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa)? All of us should realise that water is precious and there may soon come a time when it may become scarce.
Let us all learn to use water sensibly and find ways to conserve it. Judicious use of water is the need of the hour.
From Mr Rijosh Joseph
Pune, India
More trees
Why are there no Gulf News articles about planting more trees all over the UAE? We must approach the authorities to pursue this idea. Additionally, it is about time that Dubai creates more multi-storey car parks.
From Mr Raza Rizvi
Dubai
Refused by taxis
I have to depend on taxis for commuting around the city but it has become increasingly frustrating as the drivers of old taxis are not using their meters and demanding Dh20 for a trip that is usually Dh6.
Whenever I refused, I faced problems - I have been shouted at by the taxi drivers, some have refused to take me to my destination and one actually asked me to get out of the taxi.
I called the customer hotline but it did not help. It would be very interesting to know how many other people are experiencing this problem.
From Ms Pat Hunter
Abu Dhabi
Pension plan
I think the pension plan will be great if it comes into effect ("Expat pension plan under study", Gulf News, March 27). From personal experience, I can say that companies could be unfair towards their employees.
After one year and two months of service in my old place of employment, all I received was about Dh600.
I will definitely be happy with a new pension plan if it is going to make a difference to my future. I would also like to thank Gulf News for keeping us updated.
From Ms Lubna Amer
UAE
It will help to save money
The proposed legislation on the pension plan for expatriates will be a great move, as it will help us save money without truly realising it.
With regard to the question of whether it will be good or bad for people earning a low salary scale, specific procedures should be adhered to and a scale should be made to calculate pensions with reference to employee salary.
From Ms Joy Mangubat
Dubai
Excellent move
I think the new pension plan will be an excellent move as long as it is applicable to countries in the entire Gulf region, and not just the UAE.
It is very easy for employees to spend their salaries every month. The plan will definitely benefit them once they finish working.
From Mr Vikram
UAE
Full name withheld by request
Secure income
A pension would be best for expatriates if they were given a handsome amount at the time of retirement. Additionally, they must be eligible to receive monthly payments in their home countries by bank transfer up to a certain age.
This amount could be calculated on the basis of the total money collected by the government and not on the basis of how much time the employee spent with them, as some workers move to other countries for a better future.
This will help prevent expatriates from leaving the UAE, as they will have a secure means of income.
From Mr Mustaqeem
Abu Dhabi
