STC’s Gender Bias

This has reference to the report “Women See Gender Bias in STC Move” (April 19). Although we do have the highest number of unemployed women in the Arab world, it is a fact that there are many independently wealthy women in the country. There are also women who are self-employed or who have steady private incomes from other resources, such as a monthly salary from their husbands or fathers’ retirement funds. Yet these women are indeed discriminated against by STC. If you recall, a few years ago, the company came up with an ingenious policy that made women, when applying for new mobile numbers, pay a SR1,000 deposit as insurance against future bills. This policy came under attack and was later discontinued, and many women were later compensated the amount; it was subtracted from their bills in installments.

In the UK, many mobile service providers have subscription plans that cater for individual needs and pockets — a plan for homemakers and a different one for executives and so on. However, these subscription plans provide various choices for users according to what their needs are and what they can afford, not according to gender or age.

When I recently tried to increase my limit with STC, they refused until I produced a salary statement from my employer. I told the STC employee that I have always paid my bills exactly on time for many years (they could easily check my records), and that although I was currently unemployed, I did have a steady private income, which I could also prove with a bank statement. Therefore, in addition to my excellent record, that should be enough to have my limit increased. However, my logical request was ignored. That was that.

What I want to know is this: Do these rules really still apply even if a woman is independently wealthy or has a monthly income which is worth more than triple the salary of some male employees? Do the same rules apply to men who are retirees or self-employed? More importantly, will STC’s new competitor have the same discriminatory polices as well? I sincerely hope not.

Maha Mufti, Jeddah published 22 April 2005

STC’s Gender Bias [2]

The news behind the report is not as simple as it sounds. First, let me clarify that I do not think what was reported as the “alleged” decision by the STC to lower the mobile phone account limit to SR1,000 in the case of female customers was a wise one. On the other hand, I do not think that the STC had a choice — because STC or any other company has very little chance of recovering any amount they are due through legal proceedings. They will have a tough time getting a court judgment in their favor and then getting actual payment of the dues.

STC had every right to protect its interests. But they should have made that change of policy applicable to both male and female. If we improve the legal system, such cases will disappear.

K. Alwassia, Jeddah published 22 April 2005

Saudi Teenagers

The report “Teenager Gang Targeted in Dammam Siege” (April 18) was deeply disturbing. When we hear that the young men were accused of robberies, killings and attacks on families and cars, it bewilders us. How can such a thing happen in Saudi Arabia? Are not these young people citizens of one of the richest countries in the world? Why are they committing such crimes? Is it that they have no job and hence have too much time hanging on their hands? I think this is the time for us to think and think about this situation. These young people should serve as a warning to us, giving us an idea of what will happen if we do not move before we lose everything. There is nothing more important for the country than the future of our children.

Listening to and reading the debates going on here, I fear that we have got our priorities wrong. We are discussing peripheral issues leaving behind important things.

Hadi Al- Wadie, Jeddah published 22 April 2005

Protecting Women’s Rights

It’s wonderful to hear all these positive steps being undertaken to protect women. Yet, for many women their situation will improve only with direct help from the authorities.

For example, when a man abuses his wife, the government should proceed with his prosecution and not require the woman to institute a case against him. Women very often have to live with and suffer further under abusive men, and taking away their power to threaten them will help to secure their rights. If a father maltreats his daughter or other dependents, the police should immediately step in and subject him to the law. This is the only way that women can depend on justice being done. Are personal crimes not a matter for the state to intervene in, and protect the suffering and helpless?

Donna Roberts, Jeddah published 22 April 2005

Crime and Punishment

This has reference to the demand that Saddam Hussein should be executed if convicted. No one will disagree with the proposition that appropriate punishment must be imposed on criminals after due process of law. This should apply to Saddam also. If it is proved that he caused the death of people for his gain or other evil motives, he should be punished.

But justice should not end with Saddam. All others who were guilty of the crime of causing death should be given the same punishment. That should include Bush, Blair, and Sharon. It has been proven, and admitted by Bush and Blair and their minions that Iraq’s WMD were a blatant lie to justify, in the eyes of the world and of Arabs and Muslims in particular, the launching of an aggression on Iraq. The invasion itself and later atrocities have killed hundreds of thousands of people.

No one holds any brief for Saddam. But what he may have accomplished in years, the neocons, or shall we say the neo-Zionist bloc, have done in just a month or so. Similarly, if the cause of justice is to be served, they should be made to pay war reparations for the destruction of an entire country.

B. Jamel, Riyadh published 22 April 2005

New Pope

With deep joy I offer Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger my warm congratulations and most fervent good wishes on the happy event of his election to the papacy. Joseph Ratzinger is a man rich in spiritual passion, humility, self-denial and love for the cause of God and of man.

As Pope Benedict XVI, he brings to the papacy a brilliant philosophical and, in particular, theological mind that has endearingly embraced a vision of broad spiritual and ecclesial horizons: Personal holiness extended to the supreme sacrifice, missionary outreach combined with constant concern for unity, the necessary integration of spiritual charisma and institutional ministry.

His episcopal motto “Co-worker of the Truth” has guided him in his tireless and uncompromising efforts aimed at defending and promoting the Catholic faith and its morals against modern errors in an age in which the Catholic Church has suffered unprecedented persecutions and martyrdom. The new pope has also worked to encourage studies aimed at increasing knowledge of the faith so that the new problems arising from the progress of science and civilization can be answered in the light of the Word of God.

The aim for which he has always striven has been to serve the truth, seek to know it ever more thoroughly and make it ever more widely known.

Paul Kokoski, Hamilton, Ontario. Canada published 22 April 2005

Housemaids

First of all, let me say that I have lived in the Gulf for 15 years, 11 of them in Saudi Arabia. I am very familiar with the way workers are treated in this region. Most are treated well, but some are not. Housemaids are by far the worst-treated workers. All people, local and expatriate, should hang their heads in shame that this injustice continues to be perpetrated.

Housemaids have no access to their rights in most GCC countries. They are not educated to what their rights are, and are not allowed access to them if they did know. Most housemaids are not given a day off and most are not allowed out of the house they work in. How can we expect them to assert their rights if they are held as prisoners?

It has been suggested many times before, and by many people, that government agencies be set up to address the problem of maid abuse. These suggestions are well and good, and should be acted upon immediately. The cost would be small compared to the injustices that are currently being perpetrated. Once these agencies are established, housemaids should be given a day off (24 hours) every week or two weeks, as decided by the host government. That day off should be enforced, with the maid being required to check in with the government agency in person, and alone, where she can have access to people that can help her if she needs assistance.

It would be absurd to expect an abused housemaid to speak out against her abuser if that person is standing next to her, and, if she does, all she can expect is further abuse. The housemaid must be given free time and access to her rights.

By instituting measures like this it would allow for the host government to identify problems of abuse, identify the abusers, and allow for better management of foreign labor. There is no downside to creating an institution of this nature.

I hope that the governments of the GCC take the issue of abused housemaids seriously soon. This situation is a horrible blight on their reputations, on the region, and on the religion of Islam as well.

Tim L. Roth, Alkhobar published 22 April 2005

Bravo PISJ

The report “Three PIS Students Get Global Ranking” (April 5) confirms the fact that in the past few years, the Pakistan International School (English Section), Jeddah, has achieved remarkable improvement in many departments. A very high level of order and discipline has been enforced, making sure that all the work is done properly. The academic standard has gone up. Recently A levels were introduced and hopefully the 13th grade will also be introduced. To top it all off, as the report said, three PISJ students have achieved third position in their subjects in the world ranking of IGCSE examinations.

We thank the principal, vice principal and the dedicated staff whose diligent effort and hard work made this possible.

Anwar, Jeddah published 22 April 2005