What do an Egyptian policeman, Nigerian soldier and Filipino call-centre operator have in common?
All three were among hundreds hoping to be selected under the latest round of Dubai taxi driver recruitment at an open day in Abu Hail on Friday.
Each had a different story to tell as to why they queued for hours to take on a new job behind the wheel in one of the thousands of Dubai Taxi Corporation vehicles operating in the city.
Driving on the road in Dubai does not compare to Egypt, it is much safer here
Mohamed Breakaa,
Dubai taxi applicant
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority recruiters hosted walk-in interviews for applicants, and there was no shortage of interest in driving positions for a monthly salary of up to Dh5,000.
One of those hoping to be employed was Dauda Rasheed, 31, from Nigeria.
The former soldier was a helicopter gunner with the Nigerian army and fought against Boko Haram insurgents in Sudan.
He was lucky to survive a bullet wound in the face, before retiring from the military and heading to Dubai to work as a security guard at the Mall of the Emirates four years ago.
“I was in the military for five years. It is how I was injured by a stray bullet in 2015,” Mr Rasheed told The National.
“I was an anti-aircraft gunner, so working in Dubai has been very different.
“With the skills and knowledge I have, I should be using these but this is the best job for me now.
“My salary as a security guard was around Dh2,000, so driving a taxi pays much better and there are more advantages ― as long as I don’t get fined that is.”
Due to the imminent expiry of his visa, Mr Rasheed was hoping a government position as a taxi driver would allow him to remain in the UAE to work so he can send his salary home to support his wife and two children, aged 8 and 3.
Citizens of certain African countries have had a difficult time obtaining visas in the UAE, he said.
"Thursday was my last day [under the visa] so I thought I would try my best for this interview,” said Mr Rasheed, as he waited to be interviewed, dressed smartly in a black suit and tie.
“If I get a visa direct from the government I will be able to stay so I can support my family back home.”
Although driving jobs were open to both genders, young men overwhelmingly dominated the lines of applicants hoping to be selected and secure a steady job working 12-hour shifts, with free accommodation and health insurance.
Another man hoping for a job was Egyptian Mohamed Breakaa, 28, who travelled from Cairo on a tourist visa in the hope of finding work in Dubai.
If selected, the former policeman's salary as a Dubai taxi driver would amount to ten times what he would earn in the same role in his home city.
“I came here looking for work on March 1,” said Mr Breakaa, who is single.
"I looked at a security job because of my background in policing but I was told I needed a certificate to become a security supervisor here.
“I have good communication skills and can work easily with different cultures.
“The job is to give tourists the best experience, communicate well with them and keep them safe.”
Adverts called on applicants to be hard working and prepared to work long shifts in the day or night.
Pre-requisites included a high school or secondary diploma, valid UAE driving licence, good eyesight, good communication skills, valid visa and fluency in English.
Mr Breakaa said the roads were easier to navigate in Dubai than Cairo.
“Driving on the road in Dubai does not compare to Egypt, it is much safer here,” he said.
“There are highway rules in Egypt, but only in the cities and people do not always stick to them.
“My brother is in the US and this is a new life for me.”
Taxis in demand
It has been a busy time for taxi drivers in Dubai, with Fifa World Cup visitors and a bumper winter tourism season making it one of the busiest periods in recent years.
The industry is on the cusp of change, with more electric and driverless vehicles added to the DTC fleet and restrictions on street-side hailing coming into force in some areas, forcing people to pre-book rides online.
Sunnie Banquite, 36, from the Philippines recently lost his call-centre sales job with an American company in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
“My company closed so I had to look for new work and I’m not afraid to try new things,” said Mr Banquite, who was hoping to be thrown an employment lifeline by the RTA.
“I drive my own car in Dubai so I know the roads well and this kind of job will be a nice change.
“I enjoy the roads, to see beautiful places and meet new people.
“I am interested in what the life of a taxi driver is and want to feed that curiosity.”
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
England v South Africa Test series:
First Test: at Lord's, England won by 211 runs
Second Test: at Trent Bridge, South Africa won by 340 runs
Third Test: at The Oval, July 27-31
Fourth Test: at Old Trafford, August 4-8
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
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THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
