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Latest post on 29 September 2012 - 16:34

anyone seen Buddha statues recently? Thai style? For indoor (smaller) and outdoor? I bought mine from 'The One'. It will probably be cheaper to go to either Sharjah or the Outlet Mall though.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 23:59

Was the limo driver OK with having Champers in his vehicle knowing it was Shj.??

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 23:43

I remember being in a similar situation when my mother used to visit us in the UAE during the UK winter months. She also hated spicy food and used to turn her nose up and call it all the names under the sun!! She used to stay throughout the UK winter which meant we ended up eating bland food for 3-4 months whilst she was here, I didn't want to cook two different meals. As she's now passed I'm glad I made the effort. It is always such a shame to have any animosity towards others especially relatives. It's usually just something else eating us up inside and we take it out on someone else instead, usually our loved one!!

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 23:21

Sponge Monkey: I suppose your right (in a way) being British when I first came to the M.E 30 years ago my palate was for bland British food of that time, I hated spicy food too. The people of the Middle East (Saudi, Bahrain and the UAE) educated me towards using herbs and spices in my culinary adventures, never once did I find their suggestions offensive, I just listened and used it to learn the M.E way of cooking. Now I love spicy food and am always keen to learn about herbs and spices and what they can do for our health. I've even taken to growing my own in pots!! As for my DH not liking my food, (if only) I would absolutely love not to have to cook a meal every day. 'Take away' is not an acceptable word in DH vocabulary sad to say. Not sure what Jeez means!!

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 22:49

I found that same problem with Loubs. and Gina also. In the end I stopped buying both brands. It's probably something to do with the heel shape (stiletto) getting caught whereas if you go for a slightly thicker heel it doesn't tend to happen. Try the handbag restoration shops advertised on this forum, they also do shoes. Hope this helps.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 22:13

Try this company. They are recommended by the Medcare Hospital, Safa Park Dynamic Medical Equipment Centre LLC Tel: +971 4 357 6699. You can have the machine on free trial for a week and they will give you the test results every day. I hated the machine as it felt claustrophobic and after the week was over I felt that the sales person was very pushy so I said with a firm thank you No I don't think so!! Strange thing is that I recently purchased a 'Fitbit' after being told about it by a Dubai friend. Started using it to track my sleep and even though it showed I was waking up a few times during the night my sleep was still over 90% so then I didn't worry and started making sure I ate earlier, went for a walk before sleeping and in general started upping my exercise levels. Am now trying to get to sleep at approx. the same time every night and the problems have improved immensely. Hope this helps

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 19:52

I've been trying to get the Cajun variety for months and keep being told no stock. Seems strange that they have 'no stock' at all the different supermarkets!!

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 19:33

Have you tried the Nutritional approach of explaining: The basic ingredients are exactly what you would eat at home, chicken, fish, meat, potato etc. The reason why I add these herbs is because ................. and the spices because ................ Explain what the various herbs and spices do for our health (don't go overboard with too much information just concentrate with the herbs and spices you are dealing with in that meal, get her interested and she may even help you with preparing the meal. then finish off by saying thank you for helping me prepare the meal, you go and put your feet up now and I'll do the dishes.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 18:04

Nice to see and hear the humour back ladies.....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:54

Are the pink taxis more expensive??

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:45

Have an exchange party with friends maybe, could be fun. Could be very scary too, I've seen what my friends wear!!

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:44

Why not try my ex wardrobe or gadarobe (sp) on beach road Is this a local website??

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:39

I think the worrying thing is that the sponsor get's a heavy fine too!! Which is one good reason to poke your nose into their affairs and know where they are at all times. As a sponsor, you must take responsibility for these 'single' women, making sure that they follow the law in every way. This includes illicit relationships and more. Ha ha..... Does this also apply to the sponsors of Expats?? Will the sponsors now want to 'poke their noses into our affairs and know where we are at all times just to ensure that we do not: Cohabit (not married or share apartments) Have alcohol in their house (no license) Are drunk in public (go to any brunch) Don't wear seatbelts (look in the back of any taxi) Go to Barracuda (and then drive back through Sharjah)

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:16

Perhaps she read the Forum.....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:09

ahem... glad you all sorted that out whilst I was out :cool: But now that we have established how serious it is, do the maids know this? Are they aware of how serious their illegal moonlighting is? We should start a 'madams chatter' which filters back through the maids grapevine Love this.....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 17:06

I never get anyone knocking.... I think they prey on people who they know don't have a maid.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:54

I think the worrying thing is that the sponsor get's a heavy fine too!! I can really understand a maids desire to earn a little extra money by PT, especially if she has a family to support back home but perhaps they don't understand the legal implications if they are caught, perhaps they think it OK with our permission. I thought so too until a few days ago!! However, I'm really pleased with the thread and thank all the EW ladies for contributing.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:48

Thanks Wiggywig, but I am looking for Veal shanks. Not sure anyone here sells them... They sell Veal in Geant....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:44

I'd like to know to where we are supposed to report these moonlighting maids, is there a number? I know there's one for illegal workers but would like the contact to report the ones who work outside of their sponsors. Anyone know? TIA I think the main thing is for people 'not' to employ them full stop that way they can 'only' work for their 'official' sponsor.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:38

Is this thread still going? Why not?? Did you get the answers you were looking for LDC? Still not 'officially, no.... cannot see anything Governmental that stipulates 100% but DubaiCat last response is good enough for me. Did you even call the Ministry since you wanted the law to the letter from the government directly? No... A bit too close to home as we are Government related. Are you still happy for your maid to go and work PT for someone else? We're having words now. Are you still concerned(convinced) that all(some) the EWs are getting scammed by cheeky live in maids who demand more money and work elsewhere in their spare time? Definitely!! There are plenty of laws here which are broken daily - I am sure we all know people who co-habit (not married or share apartments) , who have alcohol in their house (no license), who have been drunk in public (go to any brunch), who don't wear seatbelts (look in the back of any taxi), who go to Barracuda (and then drive back through Sharjah), the list goes on. Mmm..... I'd be living in fear with any of the above. (Though I admit that I was was of the one's that went scurrying very quickly to get a license for our in-house refreshments when I found out after 22 years that we needed one) judging by the huge queue behind me there were many more didn't know the 'official' guidelines and had been living off Chinese Whispers also!! You invited discussion, you got a huge response from women who have lived here for many years and know the rules, you discounted it, so I do hope you have your answers now. I asked if anyone knew the 'official' ruling because I couldn't find what I was looking for in the Ministerial websites. Having lived in Dubai for '23 years' I see rules change all the time. Many are 'Draft' laws and not yet implemented which leads to a lot of Chinese Whispers. Therefore, wherever possible I always try to go to the official source first. I'm very surprised at how sensitive a subject it is though, perhaps there are some ladies out there that don't want this thread to remain as they don't want to lose their PT maid!!

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:09

From Emirates247; UAE authorities apprehended more than 65,000 domestic servants staying illegally in the country in 2011 as part of an intensified crackdown intended to curb labour and immigration offences. Many of them were caught by police informed by the public as part of a newly-created campaign dubbed Sahim (contribute), the semi official daily Alittihad said, quoting Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashdi, director of the illegal migrants follow-up division at the Ministry of Interior. He said a large number of those illegal migrants handed themselves over to the police after failing to find work. He noted that under new federal laws, those who employ illegal entrants could be jailed for two months and fined Dh100,000. [b'>Employers hiring workers sponsored by others could be fined Dh50,000, he added.[/b'> Seeing the Ministry's guidelines in black and white won't stop the 'maid scam' at all (and I'm pretty sure you won't get a Dh50,000 fine for a 'grey area'). Plenty of people are well aware it's illegal to use a maid not under your sponsorship but they still do it because they can't be bothered with the cost and hassle of sponsoring someone. Thank you for this DubaiCat.... now I see it's a NEW federal law. Earlier you said that you didn't want newspaper articles - you wanted ministerial guidelines..... I think that the quote from: Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashdi, director of the illegal migrants follow-up division at the Ministry of Interior. He said a large number of those illegal migrants handed themselves over to the police after failing to find work. He noted that under new federal laws, those who employ illegal entrants could be jailed for two months and fined Dh100,000. Employers hiring workers sponsored by others could be fined Dh50,000, he added. This is good enough for me.....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 15:06

Buy a dishwasher and/or eat out for 2 weeks! I am sure your cooking is delicious, some Europeans are simply too used to bland food. edited by Cornish Pixie on 25/09/2012 Excellent, I like it....

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 15:00

[url=http://dubai.angloinfo.com/information/working/employment/employing-domestics/'>link[/url'> Sadly the link to the DNRD doesn't get you the official guidelines, and searching 'domestic' on the DNRD site comes up with nothing. That's what I found when I looked I thought someone else may have an official link that why I threw the question open to the EW ladies. But thank you for taking the time to look yourself, much appreciated. I'm not sure if the 'new' refers to the employment of those staying illegally in the country or to the employment of workers sponsored by somebody else - it's not very clear.

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:49

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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 14:35

Hi Emmsie.... If it was deleted then obviously someone didn't like the content or it is a too heated debate. As you have something you would like to add I will repost. I think it's in everyone's best interest to know what the 'official' Ministry guidelines say (not hearsay). This would then put an end to the PT 35Dhms per hour maid scam that sponsored maids are using to get extra money in their spare time from unsuspecting, gullible families. Perhaps I'm naive but I cannot imagine anyone rightfully knowing that it is illegal to hire a PT maid and continuing to do so in this country, it's probably one of these 'Grey' areas and that the 'Draft Law' hasn't been implemented yet?? The PT hourly 25 to 35 Dhms rate is, as one of the EW ladies said on this forum what the Maid agencies charge. That is to cover their accommodation, transport, visa etc. Personally if the law say's: Don't use your phone whilst driving - I don't Don't drink and drive - I don't Cover your shoulders and knees in public - I do Abide by the Ramadan rules - Definitely Park in disabled parking - I don't and could go on..... now I sound like a 'goody two shoes' but I think whatever country you are in you abide by the laws.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 20:13

I should add that I had previously googled trying to find a UAE Ministerial site that gave me the up to date official guidelines I'm looking for before throwing the question open to the EW ladies hoping that they may know the answer. Hope this helps to clarify the question.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 20:09

I'm sure you've all heard of 'Chinese Whispers'. I like to abide by the law and would just like to know what the 'Law' say's in writing rather than rely on someone else's perspective and what they've heard or read in the paper. Common sense really!! Whilst I don't usually get involved in these debates, I'm curious to know why you would ask on a public forum, if you don't want to 'rely on someone else's perspective'. If it is the exact letter of the law you are asking for, the only way you can get this is to go directly to the Ministry and hear it from the horses mouth so to speak. JS like. I didn't want people's perspective as I have seen and read that in the newspapers and heard from many other mothers at school. I merely asked if any of the EW ladies have the 'Official Ministerial guidelines' on employing a maid in writing.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 18:59

You see..... reading the EW ladies comments there really are a lot of conflicting views on this subject and therefore, it would really be good to know what the law really say's. Enough for now as an individual I have the right to ensure that 'I' am abiding by the UAE law and will find out legally what the law says regarding Maids working part time just to cover myself!! Entirely, your choice if you decide to find out by reading what the law states or your choice if you want to decide from the media or friends. OMG then why did you ask? Sponge Monkey: The question I asked was: Does any EW ladies have the 'MINISTRY' guideline on 'hiring a maid'. It would be good to see what they say 'in writing'. BECAUSE: Things are written in the news and you hear different views from other mums, friends, etc. Exactly the reason why we need clear 'Ministerial' guidelines in 'writing'

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 17:36

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 16:15

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 15:04

Please don't laugh ladies,but I bought a bottle of horse shampoo and mix it with normal good shampoo and saw the hair growth happening!! I did hear though that the weather and water in the UAE are bad for the hair...? I'd try this, where did you buy it. I've also heard that the stuff they paint on hooves is amazing for nails!!

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:52

Not looking for a loophole..... I was however under the impression that it was acceptable for my maid to work PT for someone else if I gave permission. I do know so many people who think it's OK to have PT maids as long as long as their sponsor is OK with it. Mmm, will have to now have a chat with my maid!!

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:41

Here is a couple of links: http://www.thenational.ae/guide/practical/living/domestic-services/ http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/aroundtown/features/11590-uae-maid-guide Very interesting but again media not official Ministry. Anyone out there with official Ministry guidelines?? Would appreciate your input ladies.....

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:37

I remember reading somewhere that the 'Draft Law' on hiring Maids was published in the Gulf News in April 2012. But I think it was also mentioned under the link Maid Rules and Regulations Dubai on this EW website. Would be really good to get' legal' Ministry confirmation on the rules.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:21

Mmm, have read that in the news but have also read that it's a 'Draft Law' and until the Ministry signs off on it then it's not legally binding. We need clarification on this, does any EW have this in writing from the Ministry?? I wonder what proportion of EW forum readers have PT maids and are not aware of the rules?? Comments ladies.....

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 14:02

It would be very useful to know legally where we stand on this. Does anyone have the latest update from the Government?

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 13:43

Found this Government link regarding the official rules for sponsoring a maid. Interesting reading the Maid salaries which make me think that Maroosh previous comments about westerners overpaying maids are so very true!! Most of my friends pay twice or three times the going rate mentioned here, no wonder they all want to work for western ladies!! Who pays 100 aed an hour for a maid? Take a look under the 'Home & Car' section at the top of this page, then look at the Maids in Dubai - Maid Salaries Quote: We highly recommend a salary of around 2,000- 3,000 AED per month- this seems to be the average and you should include some allowances on top of this for food, toiletries, clothes, phone credit etc.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 13:29

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 13:10

If you or DH work for any reputable company you will find that your HR Manager will have a evacuation plan already in place this is standard procedure, trouble or not.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 13:01

Does anyone have the Ministry guideline on 'hiring a maid'. It would be good to see what they say 'in writing'. Things are written in the news and you hear different views from other mums, friends, etc. Ladies, if you have a maid and find that they are wanting to leave early, calling sick or you find the villa suddenly not as clean as it usually is then they are probably working this 35 Dhms an hour scam.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:41

Have seen a few in Ace Hardware....

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:39

Not sure if it is illegal to work for someone else part time if you have the approval of your sponsor, it is supposed to be in writing I think (perhaps EW ladies can clarify that. A 'DRAFT' law has been proposed to ensure that maids 'do not' work for anyone but their sponsor but it hasn't been signed off by the Ministry yet. So I think they all know and are making the most of this before it officially comes in. Your comments would be appreciated....

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:28

They actually believe that the maid gets the 35 in her hands per hour? Clearly your maid hasn't got a brain for business. Does she know the company charges the 35 per hour, but the maid gets about 700? I'm glad to say it's not MY maid. But they ARE actually getting 35 Dhms per hour in their hand as they are sponsored already by their family and then working for other people around their villas for 35 Dhms per hour. That's probably why maids want to live out, leave early, pull sickies etc.

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 12:23

Isn't that illegal? Oh yes....

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 11:33

ishehere... Having researched other fitness establishments most companies just hire 'trainers'. Therefore, they have a group of qualified people but don't specialise if different areas of fitness. The reason I recommended Smart Fitness is that throughout your training you may want to change your goals and work on something different. For example if I am going to do the 10K marathon then I would want to change my workout to focus on endurance and could therefore, change my Smart Fitness trainer to the one that covers endurance training. I still haven't found any other establishment that will offer this flexibility in my training. Hope this clarifies my recommendation

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Latest post on 23 September 2012 - 10:47

Definitely, Smart Fitness...... They are the only establishment in Dubai that has individual trainers that focus on what you want to get out of your workouts. If you look at their website you'll see what I mean. http://www.smartfitness.ae/team/ Each instructor focuses on something different - Strength, Physiologist, Conditioning, Sports Science, Performance, Post Natal and there is also a Nutritionist who is a qualified registered UK nurse specialising in Midwifery. They also have a terrific boot camp.

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Latest post on 21 September 2012 - 01:13

Absolutely amazing one's in Dragonmart....

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Latest post on 21 September 2012 - 01:11

Also, the shops in Satwa....

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Latest post on 20 September 2012 - 15:17

Any more happy thoughts...... things that make you 'bursting with happiness' really glad to be alive!! Come on girls.... let's hear them.

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Latest post on 20 September 2012 - 15:14

or my "darling" cat waking me up at 3 am by sneezing in my face...... bless Ha ha.... I love that. Our bedroom is off limits to our 'boy' so we don't have that one. was so lovely being woken up by a face sprayed with cat snot!!!!! Good for the complexion!!

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