DUBAI// A business owner is accused of offering a bribe to a Ministry of Labour inspector in exchange for lifting a work ban on his companies, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.
Prosecutors said that FK, 35, from India, who owns a cleaning services company, a trading firm, as well as ironing and textile drying services, offered SA, an inspector at the ministry in Dubai, Dh30,000 to help him lift bans on his companies for failing to meet the ministry’s requirements.
FK was not present in court to deny offering the bribe.
Records show the FK sold one of his companies for Dh100,000 but due to the ban, the buyers froze the agreement until it was lifted.
FK handed the inspector Dh9,000 and promised to give him the remaining amount once the ban was lifted and he was able to sell one of his companies.
“I have known him since 2009 because he is a business owner and often had procedures done at our offices. He called me on my mobile on September 3 last year and requested to meet with me outside work, I told him I can’t and asked him about his reasons. He then told me that he would give me Dh20,000 if I helped him in his problem,” testified the inspector who told his superiors about the attempted bribe, who in turn informed police.
“I was advised to ask for a higher amount to make the man believe that I was into it for real,” said the inspector, who agreed to meet with the defendant at his workplace on September 8 to take the money.
FK was arrested at his workplace.
The defendant was not present in court to enter a plea. The next hearing will be on March 26.
salamir@thenatioanl.ae
