Hot weather can be too much for workers

Readers also express themselves on the new "white point" plan for drivers, humans' duty toward animals, Diego Maradona, and other subjects.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - June 17 A construction worker gulps down water while working in the heat. For story on heat. ( Delores Johnson / The National ) *** Local Caption *** dj_17jun09_Heat_Show more

These planned "white points" (White points the way to be a safer driver, May 17) are another attempt to reinvent the wheel.

White points? How ridiculous. You establish laws. You enforce them. You cannot reward people for obeying laws! Hey! I didn't burgle a house last year! Hey, I didn't kill anybody! Give me a bonus!

Drivers simply have to drive safely. This is not negotiable. As soon as you reward people for things they are expected to do, all sorts of weird obstacles and surprises will spring up.

Michael Stiebel, Dubai

I find the concept of "white points" totally ridiculous. How can good driving cancel out bad driving?

If driving is dangerous offenders should be punished according to the law. It should not be negotiable.

Name withheld by request, Abu Dhabi

Hot-season work could start early

Your story 'Link midday break to temperature, not date' (May 17) makes me wonder once again why companies here are so adamant to begin work at 7 or 9am.

There is ample light and it is more pleasant around 5am. If the west can move clocks forward to make the maximum use of natural light, why can't we adjust our hours to our benefit?

As a Muslim I know that prayer timings are adjusted according to the season; work hours could be, too.

I hope this will be food for thought and that we will see some positive change.

Dr Attique ur Rehman, Dubai

'Near penury' is far from accurate

I refer to Ahmed Rizvi's article Yesterday's cricketers would not begrudge IPL stars earning their due (May 16).

I understand and agree with Mr Rizvi's views regarding players being paid well in leagues such as the IPL.

This is especially true when considered against the financial distress that visited many of cricket's early stalwarts.

But the notion that Vijay Hazare and CK Nayudu died in "near penury" is fairly ridiculous.

D Pramod, Chennai, India

Does Maradona have return ticket?

So Diego Maradona is coming (Maradona accepts coaching role at Dubai club Al Wasl, May 15.)

In my view this guy will not last more than a year at Al Wasl. I think he just fancies a well-paid holiday.

Steve Davis, Dubai

Some firms can't report quickly

Your editorial Make firms report results promptly (May 16) is partly right. I agree that decreasing the time between the end of a fiscal quarter and the reporting of financial results is important.

However, it should always be done in a way that accepts the realities of the financial resources of differently-sized firms.

For example, in the US, the large corporations are required to report quickly while smaller firms are given 45 days to report, and 90 days for full-year reports.

Blake Goud, USA

Letter hypocritical about animals

Mr Tom Egan, in his letter Avoid emotion on status of animals (May 17), slips in a classic hypocritical excuse.

He fails to note the difference between the use of animals by humans for survival and useful goals (possibly in a non-painful way) and for self defence, on one hand, and on the other hand the indiscriminate killing for vanity, on a whim, or other reasons based in ignorance, selfishness, and superficiality.

Mr Egan's last statement "let's not forget who's in charge here", is even worse, from any perspective you may have on the question.

For people of faith, God is "in charge here"' and we should respect His creatures and avoid harming them unless strictly necessary. Those who do not believe should respect nature: man is only a part of it.

Marilena Falcone, Dubai

Mr Egan tells us not to forget who is in charge.

Yes Mr Egan, we are in control, but that knowledge holds no comfort for me. In fact it chills me to the bone.

Claire Wyness, Abu Dhabi

Accord with US better for Pakistan

Your piece US and Pakistan 'will co-operate' (May 17) came just a day after all that hyperventilating by Pakistani parliamentarians. The storm seems to have passed.

Fortunately higher authorities in Pakistan have a firmer grasp of the what's good for the country - and the world - than all those strutting blowhard local politicians.

John Hannigan, Dubai