ABU DHABI // Imran Mahtab takes a rest to eat a biscuit during his midday break. His blue overalls are partly unbuttoned and his T-shirt underneath is soaked with sweat.
But sometimes Mr Mahtab and his brother Irfan spend hours trying to change the way they look. It is the only way, they say, that they can gain entrance to a mall - or many other parts of the capital. The process is so time-consuming they do it only once a month, he says.
On the side of their construction site near Muroor Road, Imran says: "We have to wear clean clothes that we try to iron first. Then we have to clean our shoes and make them shiny. We also have to shave and oil and comb our hair. All that is too much to do every Friday."
For many people, Friday is a day of rest and relaxation, or for spending in quiet contemplation at the mosque.
But for workers, from labourers and taxi drivers to mechanics, it is the only day of the week they can put down their tools and run errands, play a sport with friends or take a stroll down the Corniche.
During the sweltering summer in particular, they have limited options and, without a chance to venture outside, most find a few hours of relief at the shopping malls.
Several workers said that with so little choice for thngs to do, they preferred staying in their quarters rather than face the daunting task of going to a mall where, they said, they were often confronted by security for "loitering".
Although no rules are in place - such as those at Bawadi Mall in Al Ain - preventing workers from parts of the city, their sense of not belonging is such that they feel much of Abu Dhabi remains off-limits.
"I think I am afraid," said Ghulam Ali Chotun, a construction worker from Bangladesh, when asked about whether he would visit parks near the public beach. "What if they turn me away?"
Khalid Din, a taxi driver from Pakistan, does not venture on to the Corniche after Friday afternoon prayers any more. After a humiliating incident a few months ago, he now stays indoors.
Mr Din and his friends had tried accessing the public area of the beach, which they knew was not reserved for women and families, but were denied. They tried purchasing tickets but were turned away. He was told the entire beach was reserved for families.
"I felt bad," he said. "Those who look poor are not allowed."
"We have seen the Corniche being built," he added. "We are proud of it. We liked walking there all the time. Not now. It is too hot for that, but even in the evenings, I don't go there any more."
Last July, weeks after Abu Dhabi's new public beach opened, a Dh10 (US$2.70) charge was introduced for men unaccompanied by women.
Salem al Maameri, the director of municipal services with Abu Dhabi Municipality, said at the time that some women had complained of harassment.
"We have had lots of complaints from people that men are just watching them and their families," he said, adding that the men were mostly "labourers" who visited the beach in hundreds at weekends.
Surinder Singh has been a construction worker in Abu Dhabi for almost three years. A tall young man from India with caramel highlights in his hair, he and his friends gather on Fridays to travel to Dubai. Although the journey is long, they feel the welcome is warmer there.
They relax in Bur Dubai or Deira, where they stroll through shops and eat Indian street food.
"In Abu Dhabi, the scope is limited," he said. "There are the malls and the Corniche, and even that is shut out to us. In the malls, there is an uncomfortable feeling around us if there are too many of us. The security will follow us around. And I don't want to spend my only day off in the week walking in the mall alone, without my friends. That is the only way the security guards will not pay attention to you."
Mr Singh said his friends had been stopped on occasion and asked to state the intent of their visit and how long they intended to stay.
"Sometimes even the security guards tell us they don't mean to be rude," he said. "They tell us that they don't want to get in trouble for letting us in or letting us walk around aimlessly. Because there is a difference.
"We are not high class. We are low class, and that is how we are made to feel with the stares and looks from others around us."
Malls in Dubai and Abu Dhabi said they had no policies in place explicitly banning labourers, although many said they would act if complaints about large groups of men were lodged.
Mohammed Norman, the manager of Al Wahda Mall, said the mall was "a community centre - there should be no discrimination between labourers and other people."
He said security workers were particularly vigilant on Fridays, when there are large numbers of families in the mall.
"We have more surveillance on [labourers], but we don't tell them to go unless they are causing problems," he said. "That would be un-Islamic."
Any problems, the workers say, are caused by just a few people.
Zulfikar Ali Jafri, a soft-spoken, middle-aged construction worker from Pakistan, said he preferred quiet contemplation on Jummah, or Friday, but had seen groups of men following unaccompanied women who were walking on the Corniche.
Sometimes, he said, the groups played music on their mobile phones and stood around in large groups while watching certain parts of the beach where women swim or play sports.
"We don't have problems because we don't look at other people," Mr Jafri said. "I think the younger ones are the subject of scrutiny. Sometimes they misbehave. We try to talk to them but they won't listen to us."
Nisar Rahman, a foreman in his 40s from Pakistan, said he found public places "overwhelming".
"I just feel uncomfortable. Those places are not meant for us."
Pointing to a group of younger workers, he said: "Everyone is punished because of a few that misbehave."
sbhattacharya@thenational.ae
* additional reporting by Loveday Morris and Nour Samaha
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.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
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.
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
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Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
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Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Company%20profile
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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
more from Janine di Giovanni
Three ways to get a gratitude glow
By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.
- During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
- As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
- In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
