The Ministry of Economy will offer training to ensure telemarketers abide by strict new rules aimed at clamping down on nuisance cold callers.
The UAE on Sunday set out plans to tackle unwanted sales calls, with those flouting regulations facing fines of up to Dh150,000 and the the threat of termination of operating licences.
The legislation comes into force on August 15, before which time the Ministry of Economy in collaboration with federal, local, and free zone authorities, will launch awareness and guidance campaigns to train companies on how to comply.
They will also guide them on the process of obtaining permits for telemarketing activities, which were previously unregulated.
There are no exemptions from this regulation
Safeya Al Safi,
acting assistant undersecretary in the Ministry of Economy
“There was no specific system for the mechanism of telemarketing calls,” Safeya Al Safi, acting assistant undersecretary for the commercial control and governance sector in the Ministry of Economy, told The National.
The ministry will be responsible for launching training programmes to enhance companies' understanding of the new obligations and requirements.
“They will also monitor compliance and handle complaints against companies under their jurisdiction,” she said.
“For example, if a complaint is against a bank, the consumer should contact the Central Bank, while complaints against companies licensed by economic departments should be directed to the relevant economic department.”
Complaints against trading companies should be submitted to the Securities and Commodities Authority, which will investigate and take action against the violating company.
Ms Safeya said companies must also train their employees before the regulations come into effect.
“There are no exemptions from this regulation; all companies, including start-ups, small businesses and those in free zones are subject to it,” she said.
The new rules were issued by the ministry and the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).
Among these new regulations are the mandatory permits to conduct telemarketing, the prohibition of such calls outside the hours between 9am and 6pm and rules barring telemarketers from making a call on the same day if the consumer has declined or ended the phone call.
The regulations also allow the use of automated systems for telemarketing, provided the consumer is asked for consent at the start of the call.
The personal phones numbers of telemarketers are not to be used, with companies facing fines of up to Dh5,000 and the suspension of phone services for up to 12 months for repeat offences.
Plans get warm reception
Business owner Uma Shankari welcomed the decision and said it was not the telemarketers but companies that were at fault.
“It’s very annoying particularly to get the calls on Sunday or early in the morning,” said Ms Shankari who runs a computer store in Dubai.
“I know it’s their job and I don’t blame the telemarketing people, I blame the business owners.
“I don’t speak to them rudely, I just tell them I’m not interested but when they come up with different tactics to convince you, then I have to put the phone down.
“Constantly calling someone is not the right way to promote a product.”
Donna, who runs a travel business, said she hoped the decision to fine companies that flouted the rules would be implemented and action taken.
“If this actually works and telemarketers stop calling, it means I will finally be able to answer my phone after months,” said the Dubai resident who preferred to give one name.
“Now I never pick up because I know it will be someone trying to sell me a property or a new project.
“I don’t feel safe that so many people have my contact details – how is this allowed?
“It’s a good punishment and I hope it is enforced so people stop bothering us.
“Telemarketers and companies don’t bother if people are busy or not, they don’t care.
“It will be a relief if these unwanted calls actually finally stop.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
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
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
How England have scored their set-piece goals in Russia
Three Penalties
v Panama, Group Stage (Harry Kane)
v Panama, Group Stage (Kane)
v Colombia, Last 16 (Kane)
Four Corners
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via John Stones header, from Ashley Young corner)
v Tunisia, Group Stage (Kane, via Harry Maguire header, from Kieran Trippier corner)
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, header, from Trippier corner)
v Sweden, Quarter-Final (Maguire, header, from Young corner)
One Free-Kick
v Panama, Group Stage (Stones, via Jordan Henderson, Kane header, and Raheem Sterling, from Tripper free-kick)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
more from Janine di Giovanni
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Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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