FUJAIRAH // Fishermen have claimed that their port in Fujairah is not fit for purpose – that unsafe walkways cause frequent accidents and skippers struggle to find mooring spots for their boats.
A 53-year-old fisherman with 30 years’ experience said he was injured recently at a poorly maintained bridge that leads to the dock at Al Rugaylat Fishermen’s Port.
“I was going to the dock early in the morning when I slipped on the bridge,” said Rashid Al Oubad. “I had severe injuries in my right leg and all of my things, including mobiles [phones] dropped into the sea.
“I was treated in the hospital and it took me one month to get back on my feet and start fishing again. The surgery didn’t cost me anything because the Government took care of it, but I suffered financially and didn’t have any source of income during that period.”
He said: “The bridge needs to be repaired. This is the second time I slipped and injured myself.
“It’s not only dangerous to us, it also threatens the safety of the port’s visitors and tourists.”
Abdullah Saeed, 62, a fisherman for 20 years, said: “Going up and down the bent bridge is not an easy process, especially if you are carrying fish boxes or pushing a 200-kilogram trolley.
“So many men have been injured because of it and somebody should solve the problem immediately, before there are more incidents.”
According to Mr Saeed, since the port was built in 2010 the number of boats had increased and their sizes had changed – leading to further problems.
“When they first constructed the port they made all the docks and mooring for boats that don’t exceed 27 feet in width, but now we have boats of 30 feet in width that take the space of two, and the rest of the boats are kept without any place to be docked in.”
Salem Obaid, manager of the Fujairah Fishermen’s Association, has also raised concerns from members about the lack of safety at the emirate’s main fishing port.
“When the tide lowers and the sea leaves, it becomes very difficult for fishermen to reach their boats or even sail them outside the port.
“The bridge that allows the fishermen to access the port becomes a slope during the low tide, and many men have slipped and injured themselves.”
Mr Obaid added that getting boats in and out of the fishing port had become difficult because of the shallow water caused by low tides.
“The boats can also get stuck in the sand and this causes serious damage to the engine and disrupts the sailing journey. This delay would definitely affect the fishermen’s work process and cause financial loss,” he said.
The fishermen also said there were not enough docking spaces to meet demand.
“We have almost 30 boats with no place to moor them. Either they wait for someone to take off and use their berth, or they pull their boats out of the water. Both solutions are considered time-consuming,” said Mr Obaid.
The fishermen’s association has filed several requests about the issues to the Ministry of Public Works, but was still waiting for action to be taken.
The ministry could not be reached for comment.
rhaza@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
AGUERO'S PREMIER LEAGUE RECORD
Apps: 186
Goals: 127
Assists: 31
Wins: 117
Losses: 33
The%C2%A0specs%20
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Jazira 3 Persepolis 2
Second leg:
Monday, Azizi Stadium, Tehran. Kick off 7pm
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Six tips to secure your smart home
Most smart home devices are controlled via the owner's smartphone. Therefore, if you are using public wi-fi on your phone, always use a VPN (virtual private network) that offers strong security features and anonymises your internet connection.
Keep your smart home devices’ software up-to-date. Device makers often send regular updates - follow them without fail as they could provide protection from a new security risk.
Use two-factor authentication so that in addition to a password, your identity is authenticated by a second sign-in step like a code sent to your mobile number.
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Change the default privacy and security settings of your IoT devices to take extra steps to secure yourself and your home.
Always give your router a unique name, replacing the one generated by the manufacturer, to ensure a hacker cannot ascertain its make or model number.
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Roll of honour 2019-2020
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Hurricanes
Runners up: Bahrain
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Bahrain
Runners up: UAE Premiership
UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes
UAE Division One
Winners: Abu Dhabi Saracens
Runners up: Dubai Hurricanes II
UAE Division Two
Winners: Barrelhouse
Runners up: RAK Rugby
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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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
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
