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Why work in Dubai

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Old 21st Feb 2008, 12:08
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Why work in Dubai

I've just been listening to an item on the radio about Dubai customs.They are arresting people for minute traces of banned substances,which are used in painkillers and sleeping tablets.These substances are completely legal elsewhere.People are being given 4 year jail sentences.Is it worth working for Serco there,when you can be slammed up for nothing.You might not even get into the country to start with.
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Old 21st Feb 2008, 13:52
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Hey, same thing happens if you visit any such country on vacation - what's working for Serco got to do with any of it?

Won't worry you though TaD will it,as you'll never be leaving Scotland.
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Old 21st Feb 2008, 14:16
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I guess TaD is referring to these cases:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...=1770&ito=1490

That is something that could happen to anyone of us. "When in Rome do as the Romans do" is always a good advice, but has nothing to do with this.
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Old 21st Feb 2008, 14:32
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TaD,

I heard on the grapevine that you were ex DXB Serco, I take it that's incorrect?
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Old 21st Feb 2008, 19:05
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I wonder why you are asking is if its worth working for Serco when you can't take painkillers and sleeping pills, We all know its hard work with Serco but surely painkillers and sleeeping pills?!!!!
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Old 22nd Feb 2008, 19:46
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Yellow Snow,
Incorrect

Expedite off,
I can leave this lovely country any time I please.Last time I looked the passport was still valid.It won't DXB as I'll think we'll give that a miss.Don't want to upset Customs at all there.
A good example of how to self destruct your own tourist industry.
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Old 22nd Feb 2008, 23:17
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The local laws are what governs. i.e in Holland most, but not all, substances are legal but in the UK they are illegal.
I agree; with certain reservations.

What riles me is that UAE are enforcing a policy which means that legal, or tolerated, intake within another sovereign country can be prosecuted within the UAE.

If you arrive in physiological possession of a UAE controlled substance and are tapped then you are in the s**t.

Their definition of 'controlled drugs' extends to Tixylix; a childrens' cough syrup!

I daren't even use Nurofen Plus if going to the UAE in the near future.

To my, RupertBear-sized mind, this is wrong.

If I decide to go to a party, country or pharmacy where a specific substance is tolerated then I should not be condemned for any inconsequential or residual amounts within my physiology or baggage when I arrive on your soil.

If I arrive 'in-country' having tangible amounts on my person or within my baggage then I should receive the full weight of the local law.



And a postscript:
It's NOT 'legal' in Holland; merely tolerated. Check your sources.

Last edited by mocoman; 22nd Feb 2008 at 23:54.
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 04:07
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V is sold in all chemists in all malls in UAE

Yet is a banned substance in UAE Customs...

discuss.

windy.
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 08:10
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Cheers TaD, I stand corrected.
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 08:55
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Here is a scenario:

You are taking prescription medication, and you pass through Dubai with it in your luggage (purely in transit). If the substance is illegal in the UAE, can you still get arrested if you are not entering the country, legally?
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 17:11
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If you`re in transit....how does your luggage get anywhere near customs....??? and the only way they would find a gram or ounce of anything is if somebody tipped them off to have a look..... there`s no way they can find a gram just by chance..... all you dope smokers...don`t bring the stuff with you....you`re either ignorant or stupid arriving with it in a place where its banned as for prescription stuff....don`t bring it in...get it here...from a Dr.... how silly/dumb/ignorant are you....?
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 18:02
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Alcohol?

So what about all those BIG airlines serving/giving alcohol to their puntas who route/hub thru the Middle East?

Just like that, just like that...how did Tommy Cooper get his hat...JUST LIKE THAT!

WHODOUDO
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 19:09
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So what about all those BIG airlines serving/giving alcohol to their puntas who route/hub thru the Middle East?

What about it?

It's not illegal to drink in Dubai. Granted it's not actively encouraged, but you won't get thrown in prison for some beers/cocktails/wines.....!
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 20:45
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mhk.....

Ummmm, yes you will without a liquor license

It is still UAE law that an expat on a resident visa requires a liquor license, if you are visiting then the hotel you are staying at are your 'sponsors' and technically you must always carry proof to the effect that you are on a tourist visa.

The liquor license isn't just for storing the booze in your household (which is supposed to be in limited amounts) but also for consuming it on public/private premises. If you screw the pooch and get in the poop it will be the first thing the authorities will try to hammer you on.

Whilst this law gets lost a little in Dubailand it is still Federal law.

An excerpt from the US consulate General for Dubai residents:

Drinking or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and could result in arrest and/or fines and imprisonment.

Alcohol is served at bars in most major hotels but is intended for guests of the hotel. Persons not staying at the hotel who come in to use the bar technically are required to have their own personal liquor license. Liquor licenses are issued only to non-Muslim persons who possess U.A.E residency permits. Drinking and driving is considered a serious offense. Penalties generally are assessed according to religious law.
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Old 24th Feb 2008, 22:03
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Vercingetorix,

Simple fact is that if you walk into Dubai thinking that you can have a Spliff and then stub it underfoot and then no worries you're much mistaken. Try it in Texas and you will kiss your loved ones good bye for 20 Yrs +.
That was not my point at all; in fact I agree with your sentiment as expressed in your quote above.

MY point was that the UAE is actively pursuing a policy that locks people up for using LEGAL AND NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION while outside of the UAE.

If Codeine is detected in my system because I used some Nurofen Plus BEFORE leaving the UK; I can be jailed for four years in the UAE.

I'm not in physical possession of the medication; I purely used it to combat a headache in a country where such usage is allowed. My imprisonment for such physiological possession would be, to my mind, unwarranted and excessive.

If I were to be so stupid as to smuggle even the smallest amount of ANY substance, including the aforementioned Codeine-based product, into the UAE then I would deserve everything I got.

Regards
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Old 25th Feb 2008, 06:40
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Throw a Dyce...to answer your original question....For the $$$$ plain and simple. This other gibberish you`re on about belongs in another forum topic.
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Old 25th Feb 2008, 19:07
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Hey bigman,
Yeh I know what your saying about the big bucks.But if you have a balance of two buckets,one of money,and the other of B****,and when either one is full you leave.Just seems to me that the BS bucket is full before you get there going to Dubai.Can't think why anyone would want to go within 500 miles of Dubai customs.That includes Serco employees and new recruits.
If you think it's gibberish then hey I don't really care.What about the people slammed up for 4 years for nothing.Oh sorry I forgot life is VERY cheap in Dubai.
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Old 25th Feb 2008, 21:47
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Sorry, this is out of sequence but I missed it last night.

If you`re in transit....how does your luggage get anywhere near customs....???
It happens; I speak from personal experience and not from having it happen at DXB.

I was travelling home with work collegues from Rio to London via CDG; myself and two other collegues were stopped on our way to the gate in Paris and escorted through French Immigration and into a room. Our hold luggage joined us in the room within 15 minutes.

We, and all of our luggage, were searched thoroughly and then we were sent on our way. We made the connection; the bags didn't!

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Old 25th Feb 2008, 22:46
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Throw....so what banned substances do you take....???

If you arrive in a country with substances that are banned there.....its your own ignorance. If I`m going to visit China tomorrow for eg.....then for sure I am not going to take/drink/smoke something which may cause a problem...why..? cause I don`t know whats banned or is`nt banned. When I get there I`ll find out....and if I`m going to work/live there...then I abide by what their laws are...weather I like them or not....if I don`t like em I`m free to leave...why would I run them down from afar...its their country... their laws and my choice to love it or leave it. You don`t like Dubai...well hey...stay away...
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Old 25th Feb 2008, 23:18
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Bigman,

I agree with your sentiments about abiding by local laws et al; I have no problem obeying local laws and customs.

However,

If I`m going to visit China tomorrow for eg.....then for sure I am not going to take/drink/smoke something which may cause a problem...why..? cause I don`t know whats banned or is`nt<sic> banned.
So how many days does it take for various substances to be clear of the physiology. How much notice do you have for your travel arrangements.

As an real example; I had a call on Saturday afternoon about a job in Kuwait. I can't do it because I am starting another job tomorrow, but farmed it off to a collegue who travelled yesterday.

I can and have had six hours notice for travel to various places around the globe for business. Would have been a bit of a pain if I took the job but had a nasty headache on Saturday morning.

then I abide by what their laws are...weather<sic> I like them or not....if I don`t like em I`m free to leave
That's my point. I am FULLY prepared to abide by THEIR laws WHILE ON THEIR SOIL. I should not expect to have to pro-actively engage in watching my Codeine (for example; could have just as easily used many other over-the-counter examples) intake JUST IN CASE I get a job there or have to travel through.

As It happens I will be transitting in July (NOT MY CHOICE) on my way to Beijing; maybe I need to detox and buy a new set of luggage.

Note to Self: avoid the poppy-seed bagels at LHR when airside(don't need four years in jail)


Last edited by mocoman; 25th Feb 2008 at 23:44.
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