Shopping mall eases ban on 'antisocial' labourers - report - Retail

Sunday, 12 July 2009 6:28 AM

BAN PROTEST: A UAE shopping mall's plan to ban labourers for parts of the week has been opposed by 70% of Arabian Business poll respondents. (Getty Images)

A shopping mall in Al Ain has reportedly stopped short of banning labourers from its shops but security staff have been told to monitor their appearance and behaviour.

Last week, it was reported that Al Bawadi Mall in Al Ain had stopped labourers from entering the mall on weekends and in the evenings following complaints from other shoppers about their behaviour.

Groups had been accused of staring and taking photographs of women, falling asleep on benches, even driving a truck into the entrance of the mall.

But a member of the mall’s security staff, who spoke to UAE daily The National on the condition of anonymity, said management had issued a directive before the weekend which now told security that labourers were to be allowed in at all times, provided their dress and behaviour were appropriate.

It cautioned staff to be vigilant about finding and dealing with “inappropriate” behaviour, the paper reported.

Located in the Mezyad District of the city, the mall is within walking distance of many company compounds, and therefore more accessible for labourers than Al Ain and Al Jimi Malls.

The new twist comes as more than 70 percent of respondents to an Arabian Business poll believed Al Bawadi Mall should be forced to scrap a ban.

The online poll revealed widespread opposition to the ban, with 59 percent saying it was tantamount to racism and should not be allowed.

Another 14 percent of respondents told us that they believed authorities should step in to force Al Bawadi Mall, which opened in December 2008, to lift the ban.

“This is not a total ban. Labourers are allowed to use the mall’s rear entrance closest to Carrefour during the day and early evening, but they cannot come to the mall on weekends. We are trying to maintain the quality of the mall and create a wholesome family shopping experience,” Khalid Shraim, the mall’s marketing manager, was quoted as saying last week.

He said the mall was considering building a smaller shopping centre that workers in nearby labour camps can use.

In our online survey, which attracted nearly 500 votes, another 18 percent of people said they agreed there was an issue with anti-social behaviour but agreed that the move was politically incorrect.

Just seven percent of respondents agreed with the decision to ban labourers.

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Posted by: ldsouza Monday, 13 July 2009 8:43 PM[UAE]

You're missing the point! The issue isn't about just staring at women it's about jumping queues, talking rudely/loud. Again I must say STOP blaming race! Fact 1 - These labourers are poor people who, due to circumstances, have never had the luxury of manners as from where they come from it's survival of the fittest/ every man for himself. Fact 2 - How many of us pointing fingers at the mall owners mingle with these labourers in society anyway?? You'd rather not! (Would you truly share a seat with them on a bus or help them at airport immigration etc If you say yes, try doing it 10 times a day everyday!)

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Posted by: CSS Monday, 13 July 2009 7:16 PM[UAE] - UK

Point taken. OK wherever UK is from and Whatever UK stands for, my point still stands - What is the relevance of the Govt of India to this matter. The labourers can be from any place. India is not the only one.

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Posted by: me_for_uae Monday, 13 July 2009 3:34 PM[UAE]

Dear humans, I think half of us should be banned from entering the shopping mall.Simply, not only laborers cant hold themself of not staring at those girls, wearing almost nothing. Its me, my friends, westeners, arabs, asians...everyone. The other day when I was in the mall in Abu Dhabi and I couldnt beleive that someone let those girls to walk around, like they are on the beach. People should wake up and respect this country! We all know culture is something that you bring from home, that doesnt mean you should act like ''as you know". And , I completely support the new rule for culture test, hope it will be implemented soon. PS. (1) If you dont want to be stared at- DRESS UP! (2) If you dont know how to behave -all employers should have given you a proper training on Culture Awareness and issue a warning letter for any complaints from others regarding the offensive attitude/aproach/behaviour (3) Taking away those people from the shopping malls means taking the only one chance to see different type of life. At the end Im sure that during the summer everyone goes to shopping mall at least once a week.Where would those people go otherwise when they finally get 1 day of FREEDOM

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Posted by: Ms. Perveez Monday, 13 July 2009 1:52 PM[UAE] - U.A.E.

Allahu Akbar. I agree with you 100%. The council flat bit was hilarious.

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Posted by: UAE Monday, 13 July 2009 1:48 PM[UAE] - UAE

I agree with DaNgErBoY. The dressing some of the people visiting the malls is offending the very law of the land. Bare minimum as if they were in a beach. Does the Mall secuurity stop them from improper dressing. Oh no how can they stop them. The are the protected lot. May sense prevail. Do in Rome as the romans do.

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Shopping mall eases ban on 'antisocial' labourers - report

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