ABU DHABI // Emiratis with satellite communication devices such as the Thuraya and Iridium have been advised not to travel to India with them.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted to citizens yesterday that satellite phones had been banned in India since 2010.
Ambassador Eisa Abdullah Masoud Al Kalbani, the director of the Department of Nationals Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Indian government barred the use of satellite communication devices and anyone found in possession of one would be held legally accountable.
Mr Al Kalbani added that this applies to holders of the device and anyone who receives a device by mail or by courier.
“It is good they are raising awareness among Emiratis,” said M?K Lokesh, the Indian ambassador to the UAE.
“We don’t want them to face any problems out of ignorance.”
The regulation is outlined in Section 6 of the Indian Wireless Act and Section 20 of the Indian Telegraph Act. The ban also applies while out on Indian waters, even if the holder of the phone does not set foot on land.
The phones were outlawed after government said the companies involved could not prove they would not be abused by terrorists.
Mr Al Kalbani said the warning came as part of a desire to protect Emiratis from problems they might encounter abroad – accidentally or otherwise.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for avoiding trouble online
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- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
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Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
