Only one job-cut victim takes up hotel meal offer

Monday, 15 December 2008 12:14 PM

Despite hundreds of job cuts across the city, just one person has taken up a Dubai-based hotel’s offer of a free meal for victims of the credit crunch.

Last week it was announced that UAE residents recently made redundant could eat for free at the Arabian Park hotel from December 15 until January 15, 2009, but the hotel’s manager told Arabian Business that just one woman has contacted him to take the hotel up on its offer.

“We’ve not had as high an interest rate as I would have hoped and expected,” said Mark Lee, general manager of the three star hotel.

“There is one young lady who is coming in this week to take up the offer [but] at the moment it’s been fairly quiet – maybe it’s a sign that not as many people have been made redundant,” he added.

Hundreds of Dubai-based real estate staff have been made redundant recently as the global economic crisis has hit the local property market. The offer also extends to construction workers.

Companies including Nakheel, Damac, Tameer and Omniyat have been forced to trim their workforces while the likes of Emaar Properties and Dubailand developer Tatweer said they are reviewing their recruitment policy in light of the economic situation.

Lee said the offer was a genuine one. “It’s never nice to be made redundant and it’s a difficult time of year. We are just trying to give something back to those that are in an unfortunate position.”

The complimentary dinners will be offered in the hotel’s Brasserie restaurant from Monday.

The offer is open to anyone who has lost their job since Nov. 1. Diners must supply a copy of their redundancy notice.

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Posted by: Rima Monday, 22 December 2008 5:54 AM[UAE]

I'm guessing if you have been laid off in dubai you have a) now left the country b) stopped leaving your house for fear of spending any money c) stopped leaving your house for fear of social rejection d) sold your car if you had one ii) stopped using cabs if you didn't.. ... and if you are a construction worker who lost his job, how on earth would you get to Arabian Park Hotel anyway ! To the management, ok it's a good idea, generous, and a good PR stunt, congrats, whether anyone showed up or not, but next time consider delivery !

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Posted by: Rodel Wednesday, 17 December 2008 11:46 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

To the general manager of the hotel - What is the usual mood of people who go to hotel and restaurant? They might have an event to celebrate, or any other happy occasion. The people you are giving the free meals have just LOST THEIR JOBS!!! Hellooo - do you think they have any reason to celebrte?!?!? Or would you want them to get together with others who also lost their job and discuss their "lucky"situation. Not that I want to sound pessimistic, but your promotion should at least be sensitive. You wanted to make a promotional campaign out of other people's misfortune. Surely your services would be subject to taxes ++ And entering the hotel premises only highlights to the "just lost the job"guy of the possible luxury that he will not have a chance to have anymore

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Posted by: Satya Kumar Wednesday, 17 December 2008 7:40 PM[UAE] - UAE

Hello everyone, It is sad to note that some people (perhaps the most affluent) are rubbishing the kind offer of Mr. Mark Lee. There could be personal reasons for people not availing this generous offer, afterall suddenly losing one's job is not something that can be easily digested over a few days, weeks or even months - it is like a deep wound - time is a great healer. I would request Mr. Mark Lee to consider putting together another 'one-time' offer during the Christmas, New Year season to the same unfortunate lot of people - perhaps this will give them some cheer and make them happy amidst gloom while the rest of the world may celebrate. Hat's off to Mr. Mark Lee and Arabian Park Hotel.

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Posted by: Philip Wednesday, 17 December 2008 4:20 PM[UAE]

I find it extraordinary that Atlantis can hold a 'rescued' whale shark for months, the Versace hotel can ignore global warming by announcing plans to artificially cool the sand, and yet the only thing people can find to complain about is a hotel that is offering free dinners. As an offer it's fairly generous. As a piece of marketing it's fantastic - after all, we're talking about it aren't we? I don't doubt that some of the PR 'professionals' complaining here would never come up with something similar, and that's the biggest reason for the terrible state of the PR industry here - absolutely no imagination or, in many cases, ability. No doubt those same talentless 'experts' will be the first out the door when their own company begins making cutbacks. At least they know where they can get a free meal...

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Posted by: Jayne Shino Wednesday, 17 December 2008 1:31 PM[UAE]

It maybe a genuine offer but it does not take into account the fact that most people are saddened by that 'doomed' letter. If I were made redunant I would be too embarrased to use my redundancy to get a free meal - to come in and hand over that letter and say can I have my charitable meal please....... also it would be better if arabian hotel took their money and offered it a real charitable fund that would send food rations to under developed countries, as their 'limited' food supplies have also taken a hit due to the recession. and they need it more. They don't have 3 month redundancy packages or savings plans.

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