Regarding the news that some tariffs will rise for expats in 2016, Utility bills to rise for Abu Dhabi expats who use more than quota (December 21), charging extra from those who exceed the set quota for water and electricity consumption is a great way to discourage people from wasting these scarce resources and taking them for granted.
However, it is unhelpful to target expatriates alone for this. Excessive usage of water and electricity is a bad practice and those doing so should be made to pay extra regardless of their visa status. Water and electricity wastage has become a global concern and every individual is accountable in their own way.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
The cost of living is going up around the world without any explanation these days. It is the new trend that is unavoidable in every market.
People are told that they have no other choice but to keep up with the trend. What can we do but monitor our usage?
Wissam Halawani, Dubai
Institutions need more protection
With regards to Hassan Hassan's recent column, Optimism on Syria is misplaced. Here's why (December 21), many know that the problem has not only been Bashar Al Assad.
The problem with any future solution is the dismantling of Syrian institutions over the course of the last five years of war. We have seen a similar institutional decay over the past decade in Iraq.
The Russians and Iranians seem to be helping this disintegration. To be sure, Bashar Al Assad is guilty of many crimes but so are the rebels when it comes to this issue.The only hope for a sectarian state lies in the maintenance and preservation of state institutions.
Samar Al Ogidi, Dubai
The reach of the US economy
With regard to your business report, Further pain for UAE homeowners with mortgage rate rises in store (December 20), part of the reason this is happening now is linked with trends in global financial markets.
With interest rates in the United States increasing, it is only natural that interest rates of those countries whose currencies are pegged to the US dollar will also see an increase in borrowing costs.
We can expect more local change to interest rates throughout 2016.
Name withheld by request
Laws still need to be enforced
I found your report about road laws (UAE motorist arrested for dangerous driving abroad, December 21) interesting.
I think that driving standards have improved in the eight years I have lived in Dubai.
Of course, I would still like to see more prosecutions of tailgaters on the motorway, which are so often 4 x 4 vehicles bullying people out of the way.
However, I know it is starting to happen. I even saw someone get pulled on the motorway a few weeks ago. Enforcement is also the key to safety.
Carol Goodey, Dubai
This is a case of justice well served. The Government deserves all the praise for punishing those who misrepresent the country and the people in foreign land.
With such strict laws in place, motorists will be discouraged from committing violations and continuing racking up fines.
Name withheld by request
Salary raises and the cost of living
My wife has worked as a doctor in an Abu Dhabi hospital for the past five years. In that time her salary has not increased. Our rent has gone up by 30 per cent.
Our grocery bill has gone up by 25 per cent. Our electricity and water bills have gone up by 50 per cent.
Now my wife has decided it is time to leave Abu Dhabi. She will be replaced by another foreign doctor who has a salary at least 25 per cent higher than hers.
It is unhelpful that salary packages are not reviewed on an annual basis because, at the end of the day, a lot of good staff are wasted.
David Wilkins, Abu Dhabi
Get out and bike around town
I loved your photo gallery The 7 best spots in the UAE for cyclists, (December 16). It is lovely to see a focus on cycle tracks.
Hana Alawi, Abu Dhabi
With the cooler winter weather, it is hard to pass up the network of cycle paths in the city.
Moahmmad Yousaf, Abu Dhabi
