Why work in Dubai
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: uk
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.
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Northern Skies
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: uk
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.
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.
Location, Location, Location
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From: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
The local laws are what governs. i.e in Holland most, but not all, substances are legal but in the UK they are illegal.
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 February 2008 at 23:54.
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Omnipresent
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?
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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From: In the Tower
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....?
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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From: Comedy World
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
Just like that, just like that...how did Tommy Cooper get his hat...JUST LIKE THAT!
WHODOUDO
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Around
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.....!
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Middle East
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:
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.
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.
Location, Location, Location
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From: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
Vercingetorix,
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
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 +.
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
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: uk
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.
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.
Location, Location, Location
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From: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
Sorry, this is out of sequence but I missed it last night.
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!
If you`re in transit....how does your luggage get anywhere near customs....???
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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From: In the Tower
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...
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...
Location, Location, Location
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From: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
Bigman,
I agree with your sentiments about abiding by local laws et al; I have no problem obeying local laws and customs.
However,
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.
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)
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.
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
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 February 2008 at 23:44.