I just heard on the radio that the child protection law prohibits smoking in public areas where children are present (New child protection law 'a big move for UAE's development', April 13). That's great, but what does it mean for restaurants with outdoor seating areas? I do hope they finally come up with outdoor "no smoking" areas, as in most restaurants in Dubai there is no such a thing.
Trina Cortez Hubbard, Dubai
Differing views on Abu Dhabi rental fees
Sadly, more taxation seems inevitable (New fee adds 3% to expat rents, April 13). I think what most people would object to is the fact that the taxes are introduced with no warning, and are aimed at expatriates only.
If you are going to bring in a tax then apply it across the board. Any time you introduce a two-tier system it’s going to cause friction.
Jonathan Sharp, Abu Dhabi
How can one find this strange or objectionable? Sure less money for us but we pay no taxes, so how is the Government going to pay for the infrastructure and services we use and benefit from? No one expects this in any country, so why expect it from the UAE?
Don’t they collect your rubbish? Don’t they clean your streets? Don’t they bring water, gas and electricity to your buildings?
Gianmaria Vidale, Abu Dhabi
If the Government keeps adding fees, otherwise known as taxes, on expatriates, living and working here will become less attractive. Is the country prepared to function with fewer expatriate workers?
Anita Welch, Abu Dhabi
We pay between 20 per cent and 50 per cent income tax in the UK. We also pay council tax and VAT on a range of things, including telephone and energy bills. Our fuel is highly taxed.
Noora Umm Ahmed, UK
They need to charge landlords who are from and living outside the country, not tenants who are working and living here. They actually contribute to the economy. They don’t need more fees.
Carmen Page, Abu Dhabi
While sympathising with the Government and the Municipality in their need to find new sources of revenue following the collapse of oil prices worldwide, the imposition of taxation on one section of the community while leaving others exempt is completely wrong.
We are all in this together and everybody must shoulder their share of the burden. For a society to live in harmony and show mutual respect and tolerance, it is important that everybody is treated equally by the authorities.
It is quite unfair that the expatriate community is singled out to bear a disproportionate share of taxations be it water, electricity or the new municipality contract fee.
Danny Wilkinson, Abu Dhabi.
Awful conduct of the audience
Since attending and experiencing the shambolic Bolshoi event in Dubai last Friday there is one area of particular concern which was overlooked in your article High drama at Dubai ballet as audience argues with organisers over 'disaster' (April 11). That is audience etiquette and behaviour.
I have never attended an event where members of the audience were so disrespectful of the performing artists; people were constantly moving in and out of the auditorium during the performances, causing disruption and blocking the view of those around them.
Mobile phones were held aloft to film the dance while children were running wild around the seating blocks.
This does not bode well for events at the new Dubai Opera venue.
I hope Jasper Hope and his team will set out clearly to the public what the code of conduct will be during the performances – so that everyone can appreciate the magic of a night out at the ballet or opera.
Elizabeth Julia Underwood, Dubai
