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Passports seized in Dish TV crackdown

DUBAI: Passports of residents using illegal decoders are being confiscated in a crackdown on satellite TV piracy, sending shivers down the spine of many Asian residents who have Dish TV at home, XPRESS has learnt.
A few days before the crackdown, warnings were posted at the entrances of some buildings in Bur Dubai and Karama, though not all the building residents were aware of the magnitude of the offence and the penalties.
Passports and Dish TV decoders of at least two Indian expatriates were confiscated in one building in Bur Dubai, XPRESS can confirm. "We were not aware that this would cause us big trouble," said the resident who confirmed his passport was confiscated, but requested that his name remain anonymous.
"My husband is now under a lot of pressure because of this," said a housewife in Bur Dubai. "He's really depressed about the whole thing. We are simple families. My husband had been told he needs to get a clearance from the courts to have his passport back, but at this point, we really don't know what will happen next."
Another family member on Wednesday said the passports were seized ten days ago, adding: "We don't know who seized the passports. We just gave it. They said a call will come."
It is not clear who confiscated the passports as both the police and Department of Economic Development (DED) denied they had anything to do with the sweep. "Dubai Police did not confiscate any passports, and it did not initiate any crackdown of this sort," said Major Rashid Bin Safwan, the head of CID media. "DED staff didn't confiscate Dish boxes in two flats in Bur Dubai," a DED spokesperson e-mailed XPRESS. Tens of thousands of homes in the UAE, especially among people from India and Pakistan, are believed to be tapping signals using illegal satellite TV decoders.

Illegal set-top boxes allow viewers access to Dish TV, Tata Sky, Sun Direct and similar services that include about 200 television channels — at a much cheaper cost than licensed services in the UAE. A cable TV industry estimate shows six in 10 South Asian families tap "overspill" TV signals from India, using boxes such as Dish TV. These operators offer their signals at a fraction of the cost of those offered by UAE-based providers such as eVision, ePehla, Arab Digital Distribution (ADD) and Orbit Showtime Network.
Many residents here bring their own boxes or decoders from India and pay subscription fees online. Facebook and Google throw up online ads for UAE residents to renew Dish TV subscriptions.
Earlier last year, about 50 buildings in Al Ghusais were raided by intellectual property enforcers as part of a drive to smoke out satellite TV piracy. Several people were arrested at that time.
It appears that the anti-piracy drive against illegal satellite TV is being conducted ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2012, the world's second-biggest soccer championship after the World Cup, when many will want to watch the matches.
Star Sports, ESPN, TEN Action are some of the channels which show these matches live to Indian audiences in the sub-continent through Dish TV.
In the past, raids on buildings and shops that use or sell illegal satellite TV receivers have pushed the business underground.
"If deportation is the penalty, half of this town will be gone at the end of this crackdown," said one resident who confirmed his passport had been taken by a anti-TV piracy team. Authorities had earlier warned of serious "consequences" — including a Dh20,000 fine and deportation — for both consumers and operators who rig cables to allow people to skip payments to watch premium channels

Employers responsible for renewing visas during periods of labour dispute

Sharjah: The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs in Sharjah stressed that employers are responsible for renewing the residency visas of their employees during a period of labour disputes.
Dr. Brigadier Abdullah Bin Sahoo, Director General of Sharjah's Residency and Foreigner Affairs, told the Arabic Daily Al Khaleej that employers are still responsible for renewing the visas until the employee legally transfers his or her visa to another party, or leaves the country.
He called on institutions and private companies to renew the visas of employees who are currently involved in labour disputes as part of their social, legal and ethical responsibility.
Sahoo said that companies must inform their employees from refraining from illegal side-jobs, such as washing cars and illegal vendor activities.
He urged companies to be very particular about people they hire, and to ascertain an employee's qualifications and the validity of their documents presented regarding previous experience or aforementioned qualifications.
"Sometimes companies would hire uneducated employees and then sacking them, which results in negative phenomenon for various categories of society, such as tourists, visitors, and other workers. Most of these workers end up residing in the country illegally," Sahoo added.

What exactly does the law say about dressing indecently in the UAE?

What exactly does the law say about dressing indecently in the UAE? Is there a uniform rule that applies to all emirates or does it vary? Gulf News spoke to lawyers and police officials from various emirates to find out the law and possible punishments.
ABU DHABI
“ If a person's outfit or lack of clothing amounts to public indecency, such as when a person goes to a mall wearing no more than a swimming suit, for example, police will take action against that person”

Spokesperson from Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department

"There is no law concerning dress code in the UAE, or penalty guidelines for being dressed indecently," says Riad Al Kerdashi, lawyer and Court Advisor.
"However, some individuals in administrative positions in governmental authorities have their own opinions on what may deem appropriate, and may select to ban certain attires such as shockingly short or transparent clothes, etc.

"Some people in court refuse to service those who dress inappropriately. If it is not a law, then the judgment of the individual – within limits, or course, should be accepted – not necessarily respected, but if it is not breaking the law, then it cannot be penalized."
DUBAI

There is no law in the UAE forcing people to dress in a certain way, but respect towards the country's religion, culture and heritage is expected, according to Dubai Police.
"No one usually tells people what to wear but residents and visitors dress decently out of respect, not because they are forced to do so by the law," a spokesperson from Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department said.
"People from all over the world flock to Dubai to enjoy the beaches, malls and other attractions, and not all of them are aware of the culture here, although they should be," he said, adding that police only interfere if someone lodges a complaint.
"If a person's outfit or lack of clothing amounts to public indecency, such as when a person goes to a mall wearing no more than a swimming suit, for example, police will take action against that person."
The first time a person is caught he or she has to write an undertaking not to repeat the offence, and if they do, legal action is taken against them for public indecency.
On his part, Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Mazyoudi, Director of Port Police Station, said 259 people had to sign an undertaking for dressing inappropriately on the beach in the first four months of 2012.
"These people were sunbathing or swimming in their underwear, which when wet becomes see-through, and they appear as if they were not wearing anything, or they removed part of their bathing suite," he said. On the other hand, 2,837 people were also made to write an undertaking for going to the beach fully clothed.
"People in swimming areas should not be wearing their full clothes and just watch others, because there are rules for going to the beach, and while undressing is not encouraged, so is staying fully dressed and watching or harassing other beachgoers," he added.
SHARJAH
Police implemented a decency rule in 2001, in accordance with the directions of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
According to the rule, it was aimed to "express society's conscious need to stand against indecency, and to preserve public civility, and to clarify the proper concept of personal freedom of safeguarding other's rights."
An official at Sharjah Police explained that men are prohibited from wearing very short shorts in public or exposing their chest, not allowed to wear the wezar (national male underwear) and the lungi – a dress similar to a sarong popularly worn by South Asians.
"Women are prohibited from wearing clothes that expose their stomachs and their backs, short skirts above the knee, and also tight and transparent clothing that reveals the body," he said.
While women are not allowed to wear swimsuits on public beaches, the rule does not apply to hotels and private swimming pools. Residents and visitors found violating the rule will be given a verbal warning by police.

Evening visits to Al Ain Zoo are here again

Al Ain: With the weather getting hotter by the day, Al Ain Zoo has launched evening hours, which also offer visitors a view of the animals at their most active .
The change in opening times will kick in from June 1 and the night-time zoo will be open to visitors from 4 to 10pm until September 30, a spokesperson of the zoo said.
The changed timings will offer visitors "an opportunity to watch animals enjoying the cooler evenings as they would naturally in the wild, after resting during the heat of the day", she said.
Bird show
The popular bird show will take place at 7:30pm during weekdays and twice on Fridays at 6:15 and 7:30pm.
Family Nights that promise a richer recreational and educational experience will be held every Wednesday.

During Ramadan, family nights will be discontinued and the zoo will be open from 6pm to midnight.
Starting at 6pm, family nights will include a fun-packed evening of children's sports, games, and cartoon movies among other attractions. There will be a choice of ten sports including golf, football and volleyball for youngsters.
All exhibits will be open during the summer evening hours with regular feedings scheduled to keep the animals energetic and lively for night-time visitors.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy a special parrot show at the Zoo's education centre at 5:15pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Henna, arts and crafts, and face painting activities will add to the fun.
Cartoons will be screened at the picnic area near the train station at 8pm on a 6 x 4.5 metre screen.
Saif Al Daheri, manager for admissions and guest relations at Al Ain Zoo, said: "The summer offers a different and exciting way to experience the zoo and we look forward to welcoming our enthusiastic summer visitors once again."

Sponsoring a relative to visit

Expatriates who have valid residency papers can apply for a visit visa for relatives or friends, but must fulfil certain conditions

Dubai:According to the Naturalisation and Residency Department (NRD) law, if the sponsored relative is a female, she should not be less than 25 years of age.
If an expatriate wants to sponsor his wife and children on a visit visa, he should personally apply at the NRD at the emirate which issued him residency visa.
Papers needed
The papers needed are: passport copies of the applicant as well his wife and children, marriage contract attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; attested work contract if working with a private company, or salary certificate if working in the public sector.

The salary of the expatriate should not be less than Dh3,000 per month with accommodation or Dh4,000 per month without accommodation. The applicant need not pay any deposit. He must get an e-gate card.
The e-form application will cost Dh100; another Dh100 if the visa is needed urgently, as well as Dh10 for delivery of the visa through Empost.

If an expatriate wishes to sponsor his parents on a visit visa, the application must be submitted personally at the NRD. The papers required are passport copies and an attested letter from the embassy proving the relationship.
Also needed are: an attested work contract if the person is working in a private company or a salary certificate if working in the government sector. The minimum salary requirements are the same: not less than Dh3,000 per month with accommodation or Dh4,000 per month without accommodation. No deposit is required, but the applicant must get an e-gate card.
If you are sponsoring a relative, a deposit of Dh2,000 is required and the salary must not be less than Dh5,000 per month with accommodation. But if you are sponsoring a brother or sister, the salary and accommodation allowance should be Dh6,000.
An expatriate can also sponsor two friends on visit at a time, but the salary requirements are higher - not less than Dh10,000 and Dh2,000 refundable deposit for each person which is returned after the friends leave the country. One should keep the receipt safely and present it for the refund.
Ceiling for categories
Some of the monthly salary requirements for sponsoring relatives or friends on a visit visa
•Wife or husband's parents or grandparents. Salary must be Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 and accommodation facility.

•Wife or husband's brothers and sisters and their sons and daughters who are less than 18 years. Salary should be Dh5,000 per month and Dh2,000 as deposit.

•Sister's or brother's sons and daughters. Salary must be Dh6,000 and Dh2,000 deposit for those above 18 years.

•Grandsons under 18 years of age. Salary must be Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility. No deposit is required.

•Adult grandsons. Salary must be Dh6,000 as well as a deposit of Dh2,000.

•Cousin. Salary of Dh8,000 and deposit Dh2,000.

•Wife's minor sons and daughters. Salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility.

•Wife, sons and daughters. Salary of Dh4,000 or Dh3,000 with accommodation facility.

•A friend. Salary of Dh10,000. One can sponsor only two friends at a time. If there are more, one should justify the reason for the visit of so many friends

Housewives can take up jobs

Women must not be employed in any job that is unsafe, hard or damaging to their health. An expatriate woman who is sponsored by a father or husband can work in any job, even if she is listed in the resident visa as housewife.

Dubai: In a bid to protect working women's rights, the UAE Federal Labour Law and the UAE residency and entry law allows women to work in any profession but under specific conditions.

Women must not be employed in any job that is unsafe, hard or damaging to their health. An expatriate woman who is sponsored by a father or husband can work in any job, even if she is listed in the resident visa as housewife.

The woman only needs to obtain a labour card which should be renewed every year. Some companies are ready to employ women on their father's or husband's sponsorship but some prefer that the woman they employ be sponsored by the company. Women need an approval from the husband or father if they wish to work.

The labour card of a working women sponsored by the husband or the father will be cancelled automatically when the card expires and is not renewed at the Ministry of Labour. Companies will have to reapply every year for a new labour card.

Labour card fees

The fee for a labour card for a working woman sponsored by her husband or father is Dh1,200, to be paid in two installments: Dh200 at the time of submitting the application and the remaining Dh1,000 at the time of the ministry approval. The fees have to be paid by e-dirham.

The employer should pay the fees. Working women also do not need to give their passport to the employer. She should also keep her labour card with her.
But if the woman wants to transfer sponsorship from her father or husband to work in the private sector, she needs approval of the previous sponsor and the new sponsor.

She also needs approval from the Ministry of Labour if her work is among the categories that are subject to the Labour Law. She would further need approval of the residency department.

The expatriate wife or daughter who has a work visa and then leaves the job, should apply at the Naturalisation and Residency Department, to amend her status.

Employment: Specific conditions

•According to the UAE Labour Law, a working expatriate woman, sponsored by the husband or father, is not allowed to work late into the night.
•A wife or daughter who leaves a job, cannot transfer her sponsorship to her husband or father directly, but should apply again for a new entry permit.
•Employers are not allowed to employ women to work for 11 uninterrupted hours.
•Employers are not allowed to make women to work at their establishments from 11pm at night till 7am next day in the morning.
•It is not allowed to hire women to work in any dangerous kind of work.
•Women who work in the field of health can work at night but should not do manual work.
•They can work at night on emergency cases.
•They can work at night if they are working in a directorial position or technical work.
•Women's salary should be equal to that of men, if the work performed is the same.
•Working women have the right to maternity leave.

To become a nurse in UAE

To maintain a high standard of service, the UAE has set specific regulations for those who wish to work as nurses in the government or private sectors.
Dubai:It is required that nurses continuously work on developing their nursing skills and knowledge on a regular basis. To protect people's health and safety, the Ministry of Health has stressed that all nurses or midwives must meet a minimum criteria to practice their occupation here.
Nurses can apply for a job at the Ministry of Health in Abu Dhabi or Dubai and if the application is accepted, the person may work at any of the seven emirates.
If the nurse wishes to work only for the Dubai Government, the application should be sent to the Department of Health and Medical Services in Dubai (DOHMS).

If the applicant is a legal resident in the UAE, then he or she should apply directly at the Ministry of Health. Applicants can obtain information about vacancies by approaching the Federal Nursing Department at the MOH.
All qualified nurses applying for MOH employment must complete the needed registration necessities and should appear for an examination at the ministry.
Assistant nurses and helpers do not need to obtain the ministry's requirements. For example, nurses applying for a position with the MOH at a grade higher than assistant technician, then he or she must register with the Federal Department of Nursing.

There are specific countries from where applicants are exempted from the ministry's examination which is part of registration. Details about those courtiers can be obtained from the federal nursing department at the MOH.
Those applying for a nursing job online from overseas through the ministry's website can complete their registration requirements after joining the services here.
Those who are residing here have to complete their registration requirements before applying for a job.
Needed documents
Nurses must submit the following documents to the Ministry of Health and then their files will be assessed for employment.
- Bio-data, C.V. which should be in English
- Copies of their certificates or degrees
- Copies of their post-graduate diplomas or degree certificates.
- A copy of their school leaving certificate or comparable certificates.
- Copy of the current nursing licence which should be authorised from the home country of applicant.
- Copy of his or her work experience, signed by a senior official. The work experience documents should show starting date of employment, date of leaving employment and should mention the post held.
- A passport copy, including entry permits to the UAE. Those who have a valid residence visa must submit a copy.
- Three passport size photos.
- Fill in an application form.
- All documents must be translated into Arabic.
- If the nurse passes the interview and the examination. he or she will be given the post of nurse in accordance with the qualifications.
- The job will be at any of the ministry's hospitals, clinics or in any medical district in any of the seven emirates.

Sponsoring your parents

Expatriates who have a valid resident visa in UAE can sponsor their parents for a year's stay by paying a Dh5,000 deposit as guarantee for each parent.


Dubai:But according to new regulations, you cannot sponsor only one of your parents and have to sponsor your father and the mother together, with proof that you are their sole supporter and they have no one to take care of them back home.
If one of your parents has passed away or if you are divorced, you have to show papers to prove that to the Naturalisation and Residency Department, as justification why you want to sponsor only one of your parents.

The son or daughter must also prove he or she is the only supporter of the parents and that there is no one to take care of them back home.
One should apply for the residency visa for parents at the department which issued his or her own resident visa.

The son or the daughter can sponsor the parents or the father and mother-in- law. In order to be able to sponsor your parents or father and mother-in-law, one should have a minimum salary not less than Dh6,000 with accommodation allowance or minimum salary of Dh7,000.
They also need to obtain a medical insurance policy for both with a minimum coverage of Dh600 for each, to be renewed each year.

Now besides a medical health check, an HIV test is also needed before applying for the residence visa.
To obtain a residence visa for the parents, one has to show proof to the Naturalisation and Residency Department that there is a humanitarian issue that requires to sponsor them and that the son or daughter are their lone supporters.

The expatriate should also obtain a letter from his or her embassy or consulate certifying that the person is the sole supporter.

The Dh5,000 guarantee deposit will be returned after the parents leave the country and the visa is cancelled or the parent dies.

Procedure
- The UAE has allowed sponsoring the residency of parents because of ‘humanitarian reasons’ as elderly parents should be taken care of by their children, according to the Interior Ministry.

- Earlier, you could sponsor your parent for a residency visa without having to pay Dh5,000 as refundable guarantee. The new rule implemented few months ago now requires the deposit.

- All expatriates can sponsor their parents but the sponsor’s minimum salary should be Dh6,000, with housing allowance.

-You will now also need a Dh600 medical insurance policy for your parents.

-One can sponsor the father-in-law or mother-in-law, under the same conditions.

-The residence visa for the parents is valid for one year only and should be cancelled or renewed after the end of the validity.

-If you fail to renew or cancel the visa, the parents will be deemed to be illegal overstayers and will have to pay a fine.

Official: Labour ministry contract supersedes all other documents

Dubai: The Ministry of Labour contract takes precedence over all agreements between employer and employee and is the only document that is recognised by the authorities, the ministry has warned.
A senior labour ministry official told Gulf News any contract between the employer and the employee other than the labour contract will not be taken into consideration.
The warning comes after some employees have complained that they are being deprived of their rights as laid down in the labour ministry's contract.
A group of insurance specialists have alleged that their company is cheating employees by forcing them to sign a letter of intent and depriving them of rights guaranteed by the labour ministry's contract, including basic pay and gratuity.

Paying back commission
The employees who work for Nexus Insurance Brokers told Gulf News that the company was unwilling to accept resignation letters unless the staff hand over all commissions they earned last year.

Documents obtained by Gulf News show the employees have a limited labour contract under which they are given a basic salary of Dh0.001 and Dh6,000 for accommodation, transportation and other allowances.
The letter of intent, which the insurance specialists were forced to sign, says employees were issued a labour contract because it is a requirement of the UAE law. The principal purpose of the labour contract will be to "sponsor employees' activities in the UAE and does not constitute in part or full their contract with Nexus".
"All benefits mentioned in the labour contract issued by the labour department and any other benefit such as accommodation, transportation, leave, air ticket, leave salary, entertainment, gratuity and other benefits are in fact included in commission, and may be stated separately in the labour contract only for the purpose of enabling you to sponsor your family and domestic help in the UAE," the letter of intent says.
R.J., an employee, said they were forced to sign an undertaking that if the company was required by law and the labour contract to pay a certain amount to them, the employees must repay the company commission and collection fees. He alleged that the company does not accept resignations till employees pay back what they have earned in the form of commissions in their last year at work.
"Unless we give them the last year's earnings, they will not cancel our visas," B.F., a former employee, said. "When I resigned, the company handed me a letter that said my resignation would be accepted, but I must first pay a cheque amounting to my last year's earnings. Only then would they give me a release letter."
Employer reaction
Hussain Ayyash, legal and human resources director at Nexus Insurance Brokers, told Gulf News that all the letters of intent are legal and issued to protect the company's rights. "Our employees work on commissions and they earn a huge amount of money. As the employees work on commissions, they have no labour rights. We issue employees a labour contract as a formality as we have to issue it. The labour contract contains certain allowances, which helps employees sponsor their families. But we do not work according to the labour contract. For us, it does not exist."
He said he had filed a complaint at the labour ministry against some employees who had recently resigned and joined competing firms. "We also have to take back commissions they earned in the last year of work with us," Ayyash said.
Gulf News has learnt that the labour court recently ordered Nexus Insurance Brokers to pay Dh20,000 as end of service benefits to a British consultant who resigned and complained against the company to the labour ministry.
Mohammad Bin Dakhin, Director of Governmental Communication at the labour ministry, told Gulf News that any agreement between the employer and the employee other than the labour contract would not be taken into consideration. "In case of dispute between the employer and the employee, the ministry will only consider the ministry's contract," he said.
Bin Dakhin said a letter of intent or internal contracts between the employer and employee are not accepted. "It is illegal to consider that the labour contract has been issued only to allow employees to sponsor their families. Denying workers the rights mentioned in the labour contract is illegal," he said. Bin Dakhin said that any contract between the employer and employee not signed and approved by the labour ministry is not a legal document.
Call helpline

Residents must call the toll-free helpline 800665 for any labour-related issues, including contracts, work conditions, labour cards and work permits, Mohammad Bin Dakhin, Director of Governmental Communication at the Ministry of Labour, said.
"If workers are asked to sign agreements other than the labour contract, they must contact the ministry to enquire about the legality of the documents," he said. The ministry's helpline caters to 14 languages. Residents can also visit labour care units if they need help.