Suman Biswas and Rahul Mia were not certain what to think when their salaries arrived electronically in their newly created bank accounts this month.
"Of course it was nice, but we are still not sure we can believe it," Mr Biswas said.
Both men are from Bangladesh and work for an Abu Dhabi-based construction company, which they asked not be named.
"Maybe after a few months of seeing the system in place, we will finally believe that it was not a special month," Mr Biswas said.
Mr Mia said that last month, when company officials collected their personal details, he assumed it was for a routine end-of-year staff checklist.
In fact, it was to enable the firm to implement the Wage Protection System designed to ensure salaries are paid on time via electronic transfer.
"We were told of the new system, but you have to understand, it is very hard to believe such a good thing was going to happen," Mr Mia said.
They said a scheme had also been set up at the labour camp were they lived to address any problems workers faced with the new system.
But not all have been as fortunate as Mr Biswas and Mr Mia. They said they knew of other firms that were still paying staff in cash.
"We know friends in other companies who are still getting paid cash-in-hand," Mr Biswas said.
"They do not have the same system yet. And no one has come to ask them to register for it. It is sad because the rules were explained to us and we told [our friends] but no one will listen to them."
Mr Mia said his company treated him well this year and allowed him to work half-days during Ramadan, when he was fasting.
The obligatory midday break for outdoor workers coincided with Ramadan this year, and he was allowed to go home at 1pm.
Meanwhile, Mr Biswas, a Hindu, said the company had provided adequate fans and sleeping mats to use during midday break.
"Let us see what the New Year brings," Mr Mia said. "But it looks like things will only get better."
@Email:sbhattacharya@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Jawan
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