Recycling scheme needs education at the same time

Recycling needs education as well as just separate bins, a reader says. Other views: Maid's case, fashion abayas, financial dealings and camel blog.

Anna Zacharias' camel racing blog provides fascinating insights, a reader has praised. Christopher Pike / The National

In response to your article, Dubai door-to-door recycling scheme is delayed (April 15), I highly commend the efforts of Dubai Municipality and the My City, My Environment scheme.

Before rolling out the service, I strongly encourage the municipality to make all efforts to educate residents and staff about how and what to recycle in their homes.

As a seven-year resident of the Palm Jumeirah, where villas have all been using separate rubbish and recycling bins for years, residents have never received any information about how to read labels and look for the different recycling symbols and what can and cannot be recycled, such as paper, magazines, menus, cardboard, glass, cans and plastics.

Supermarkets here carry items from all over the world. Some plastics and metal cans are not recyclable for example.

Before moving here, I was recycling in the United States for 20 years. I can assure you many residents and most household staff are not properly recycling here in the UAE.

This comes as no surprise as many people do not recycle in their home countries. Stickers for bins and pamphlets in several languages should be provided to all homes. In addition, bags for the green bins should have pictures and descriptions of items which should be go in them.

It also be extended beyond residential communities. Separate bins should also be placed in places like around schools, parks, beaches and malls.

Valerie Trice, Dubai

Maid case prompts wider questions

This is in reference to the article Maid accused of stabbing three Emirati children after being denied leave (April 14).

First of all, the maid should never have attacked the children.

Second, the law is that a maid should complete her two-year contract with a local employer before being eligible for leave.

Third, the employers shouldn’t have withheld her salary. She is a worker and should have been paid.

Finally, I don’t agree with suggestions this was like slavery. They work for a sum that they can’t get in their own countries, so they come here at their own will.

Emma Ewing, Abu Dhabi

This is all speculation at this point.

What is clear though is that if you want someone to treat your children well, don’t force them to work for no money.

Another term for that would be forced labour or slavery, and who knows what other conditions she was working under?

Name withheld by request

It’s no secret that housemaids are often brought here on false promises by shady companies.

Many become victims of physical and sexual abuse, which often they are forced to bear as they have no other option – or at least they feel that way.

It is difficult to believe a woman would attack children or attempt suicide without any reason. It only happens when people feel desperate.

I wonder how many of the people commenting on this would cope if they were required to work as maids or housekeepers in the UAE.

I doubt many would last a week.

Christina Murphy, Abu Dhabi

No situation can give someone the right to kill.

Name withheld by request

In praise of high fashion abayas

I am responding to Peter Hellyer's opinion article, Emirati women carry the tradition of abayas in style (April 15).

I like these newer abayas and gladly wear them when I can.

Unfortunately, my workplace doesn’t allow them if you are not Muslim.

Maybe the ones in bright colours and fashionable cuts will be allowed? Let’s hope so.

Shondale Jackson Pagano Galindo, Abu Dhabi

Be cautious about financial dealings

Your news article, Life in prison for murderer of Dubai businesswoman Lorna Lim Varona (April 13) illustrates how money has the power to make one individual turn hostile against another.

People should think twice before getting involved in money matters – borrowing and lending – as there are chances of them ruining relationships and spreading bitterness.

I feel sorry for the woman who lost her life over a financial dispute.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Camel racing blog is a joy to read

I love Anna Zacharias' camel blog about a year at the camel races (The camel that loved her dokha, April 10).

As a newcomer to Abu Dhabi, I am really enjoying her insights into Emirati life and am looking forward to finding out more through her columns.

I wish her all the best with her work.

Maggie Clune, Abu Dhabi