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Wednesday, November 25, 2009  | 
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BREAKING NEWS | Builders look abroad amid Dubai slump
EUR | GBP Up 1.109 ,  USD | EUR Down 0.667 ,  USD | GBP Down 0.602
Polls
Who is right? Gulf Air crew who are threatening to strike; or management trying to sack staff and privatise the company.
The crew has stood by the airline through bad times, now is the turn of management to show loyalty.
0%
Some jobs are better than none. Management has to be allowed to turn around the company to save it.
100%
Both are right - and that's why the two sides need to compromise. Management needs positive workers.
0%
No one is right. The owners should sack everyone and start again from scratch... Is it even needed?
0%
With Manchester City, and Portsmouth, now owned by Middle East Inc., are you more more inclined to support them?
No. I don't care who the owner of a football club is, I support my team, the team I always have.
72%
Not support them, but feel more goodwill for them maybe. Maybe a second or third team.
8%
Depends how well they do. If they win a major trophy, there is a chance I could make them my team.
4%
Of course - both are now my teams - that they are Mideast backed makes me feel part of who they are.
16%
Was the UAE government right to wave the midday working ban for companies working on the metro project?
No. The welfare of workers comes first and I can’t believe the government would compromise this.
82%
No. The workers come first, but I understand the government wanting to finish on time.
10%
Yes. But in this situation firms should make it optional if labourers want to work during the ban.
4%
Yes. Finishing the metro on time is much more important than the health of labourers.
5%
Does your company implement reduced Ramadan working hours, or do expect to continue to work as normal?
Yes, my company is very strict on Ramadan working hours, and expects people to leave on time.
14%
Sometimes we work a little longer, but mostly we leave early as per the government guidelines.
21%
Muslims are allowed to work Ramadan hours, but those not fasting are expected to work normally.
36%
We completely ignore Ramadan working hours. We have a job to do and business to get done.
29%
With Ramadan coming do you think non-Muslim expatriates in the Middle East fully understand the meaning of the holy month?
Yes, for the most part expatriates understand what it's about, and are sensitive during this period.
23%
Long-time expatriates are, but people who have just arrived can lack sensitivity or awareness.
42%
No. Understanding of Islam should be part of a residency test for anyone wanting to live here.
10%
No. I sometimes wonder whether even Muslims appreciate the religious significance of the holy month.
25%
House prices are showing signs of stabilising. Is this good for the economy, or do you think prices should fall further?
It's a great thing. Cities across the Mideast need real estate to be thriving to spark back to life.
5%
Prices need to stabilise, not rise. The cost of living was an impediment to real economic growth.
12%
It would be better if prices continued to fall gently. Too fast, and economic damage could be done.
19%
Please let prices fall 20% plus. Yes it will hurt, but the region will be stronger in the long term.
63%