I lost my job in April due to the Covid-19 pandemic and my visa was cancelled by my former employer in June. I was unable to find a new job to pay for a visit visa and overstayed the grace period by a few months.
I received a small end-of-service gratuity and used that to sustain myself while I was out of work. I was also able to get a visit visa thanks to a former colleague who helped me to pay for the cost of the visa and the overstay fines.
Apart from the money I now owe my former colleague, I also have two credit cards and a personal loan that I have been unable to pay the minimum amounts because I haven't found a new job.
My debts are:
- Personal loan: Dh12,056.26 (Dh961 monthly instalment – last payment was May 4)
- Credit card 1: Dh20,749.24 (last payment of Dh400 was on February 20)
- Credit card 2: Dh7,541.39 (last payment of Dh500 was on March 6)
I have explained my situation to the bank and have also provided them with a letter confirming my job loss, but they are not helping me.
I do not have any plan to run away and avoid paying my debts as I do not want to lose my opportunity to stay and work in the UAE. I am also answering all of the bank’s calls and emails, and continue to ask them to help me.
My visit visa ends on December 3 and I again face overstaying the grace period.
I am receiving emails from debt collection agents saying they will file a police case against me over my security cheque, and that I face criminal and civil cases in the courts and an immigration ban. I am worried this will prevent me from getting a new job and start repaying my debts. How can I convince the bank to help me? NA, Dubai
Debt panellist 1: Philip King, head of retail banking at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
This is a very challenging period for many UAE residents, and I sympathise with you on the immense pressure you must be facing. You have done the right thing by informing your bank about your job loss and remaining in contact with them throughout the process. Your sense of accountability and commitment to repaying your finances will benefit you greatly when negotiating with your bank.
After three missed loan repayments, and following prior warnings, there is a possibility that your bank may seek legal action. However, we advise you to thoroughly read the terms and conditions of your agreement with the bank, which should state your rights and obligations in this situation.
With that being said, there is a lot being done by the UAE government and Central Bank of the UAE to protect vulnerable individuals given these unprecedented circumstances. Through the Targeted Economic Support Scheme (Tess), banks are supporting customers in overcoming the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue even when repayments are paused or reduced, so the total amount you repay will be more than it would have been with your initial repayment schedule
Given the current challenging situation, some banks are allowing payment deferrals to support customers who are undergoing unexpected job losses due to Covid-19. This is something you can further discuss with your bank.
Secondly, you can consider options to consolidate your current loan and two cards into a new facility with a longer tenure and lower financing rates. This will provide you with breathing space while you continue your job hunt.
It is in the bank's interest to resolve your issue promptly and mitigate any risks of further default, so they are highly likely to co-operate with you on new repayment terms.
Living with debt can be distressing and we highly recommend that you decrease your expenditure as much as possible through stringent budgeting, selling assets to raise funds, or even contacting family at home for financial assistance in this difficult time.
Debt Panellist 2: Stuart Ritchie, chartered financial planner at AES International
I would advise getting in touch with your bank, either by telephone or in person at your branch, to find out what debt relief options are available. The bank may be able to restructure your debts to make your repayments more manageable for you at this current time, such as increasing the term of your loan so your monthly instalments are reduced to what you can realistically afford.
They may also allow you to make interest-only payments until you find another job. The majority of banks in the UAE have been offering a three-month payment holiday for those affected by the pandemic, providing they have made previous repayments and their account is in good standing.
Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue even when repayments are paused or reduced, so the total amount you repay will be more than it would have been with your initial repayment schedule.
Once you have spoken to your bank, you can then have a conversation with the debt collection agents to inform them about what you have agreed with your bank. Given what you owe, the bank will be looking to protect themselves from losing that money if you were to leave the country.
In the meantime, try to avoid taking on any more debt and do everything you can to find employment again. One suggestion would be to contact your previous employer and ask about returning to your old position now that the Covid-19 situation has started to improve in the UAE.
Debt panellist 3: Ambareen Musa, founder and chief executive of Souqalmal.com
One can only imagine how challenging it must be for you to stay on and sustain yourself in the UAE without an income. On top of that, you have multiple outstanding debts to worry about, without any respite being offered by the lenders.
Since you have already defaulted on your loan and credit card debts, chances are the bank may take legal action to prevent you from leaving the country without repaying your debts. But now that negotiations with the bank are not working out in your favour, you have to find other ways to deal with your debt situation.
One option is to tap into your savings or investments back home, or request your immediate family or close relatives to help you out financially. Even if you can manage to repay only your expensive credit card debts, it will rid you of the heavy interest and penalties that are accruing on your credit card accounts right now.
The next option is to consider filing for insolvency. This is usually recommended as the last resort for anyone struggling with debt repayments. However, it may be the most appropriate route for you considering the circumstances of your employment.
The UAE's Personal Insolvency Law lets you approach the civil court and request a court-mediated settlement of your overdue debts, when you aren't in a financial position to meet your debt obligations yourself.
Such a settlement would cover your loans and credit card debt under one umbrella. You could reach out to your country's embassy/consulate in the UAE to get pro-bono legal advice on how to pursue the insolvency option.
As for finding a job in the UAE, have you had a look at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's Virtual Labour Market? Register yourself on this portal to access both permanent and temporary employment opportunities being offered in the UAE.
Along with this, you should keep looking for work, even part-time or freelance opportunities. You could also shift your focus towards sectors that have witnessed heavy demand during the pandemic, such as logistics, e-commerce and home deliveries.
The Debt Panel is a weekly column to help readers tackle their debts more effectively. If you have a question for the panel, write to pf@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
ARGENTINA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Agustin Marchesin, Esteban Andrada
Defenders: Juan Foyth, Nicolas Otamendi, German Pezzella, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ramiro Funes Mori, Renzo Saravia, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Guido Rodriguez, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Roberto Pereyra, Rodrigo De Paul, Angel Di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala, Matias Suarez
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EMen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saif%20Al%20Zaabi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Zayed%20Al%20Ansaari%2C%20Saud%20Abdulaziz%20Rahmatalla%2C%20Adel%20Shanbih%2C%20Ahmed%20Khamis%20Al%20Blooshi%2C%20Abdalla%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Khaled%20Al%20Hammadi%2C%20Mohammed%20Khamis%20Khalaf%2C%20Mohammad%20Fahad%2C%20Abdulla%20Al%20Arimi.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mozah%20Al%20Zeyoudi%2C%20Haifa%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Ayesha%20Al%20Mutaiwei.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)
Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
Captain Marvel
Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law, Ben Mendelsohn
4/5 stars
Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
MATCH INFO
First Test at Barbados
West Indies won by 381 runs
Second Test at Antigua
West Indies won by 10 wickets
Third Test at St Lucia
February 9-13
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
The biog
Hobby: "It is not really a hobby but I am very curious person. I love reading and spend hours on research."
Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
Favourite travel destination: "Antigua in the Caribbean because I have emotional attachment to it. It is where I got married."
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
BLACK%20ADAM
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jaume%20Collet-Serra%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dwayne%20Johnson%2C%20Sarah%20Shahi%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Pierce%20Brosnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Results
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
