NorthernLad

It's a quiet day at work, some fascinating stories in the local news:

"He added that officers who were paid less were more prone to security breaches. He said such officers had access to operation rooms, weapons and missiles, and could pose a threat to national security if they were tempted by bribes."

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-n...ays-fnc-member

Meow

So as per usual in this part of the world, it's all about money and nothing to do with ethics.

Kix

Oh you old cynic you!

NorthernLad

Come on, at least they allowed UNICEF to be demoted to the back of the shirt.

Meow

Less of the old thankyouverymuch!

Paracletus

Police officers are hardly at the bottom of the pay scale in Britian are they? Give people power and trust..you better not give them a reason to abuse their access..

seven seas

I guess no police officers in any other part of the world are known to take bribes then?

The pay parity is an excellent idea and long overdue. Has anyone noticed a number of recent cases where police officers stand accused of textbook street-thuggery? False arrests, excessive force, petty thefts, assault (all kinds). I would be surprised if the accused aren't from the lower-paid group.

Meow

That's a very weak response and not relevant as as no one has said they don't. We all know perfectly well that money and influence is how many things get done, more than in most places.

Millhouse

Many countries are far far worse.

Meow

And many are far better.


Talking of bribery and corruption, anyone been reading about the IOC member and illegal sales of tickets?

Millhouse

I knew you would say that. The truth is all countries suffer corruption in many forms... Think about the upcoming BAE order in lieu of Timmy, what do you call that? What about Dr. Kelly?

I honestly think it's hard to say who is better than others. Sure, all emerging markets are corrupt but it is easy to say that as it's mostly 'in your face'. The developed countries really are not much better - it's just in the background and so you don't think it happens.

Meow

Are you suggesting that the UK is more corrupt than the UAE?

Interesting survey here: http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/

jackthehat

There is a big land mass on the Eastern Side of the Map in Yellow! - Shouldn't this be in Red?

Meow

You'd wonder. I thought it was quite interesting.

Some info about the survey, how it's compiled and criticisms here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrupt...ceptions_Index

Of course, it is impossible to prove who is best/worst and we go on personal experiences and what we read.

weasel decentral

Exactly right, European business is every bit as corrupt as the worst governments in Africa. The only difference is the sophistication and latency of the corruption.
We may not demand gold in bags put on the table but money being syphoned around through related companies and all that kind of stuff is very prevalent.

It may be a paradox of sorts but I find the "honesty" of the corruption or bribery here to be very refreshing. I don't consider it an issue for project tendering, its just an alternative form of tendering.
The people who complain about it in business should either look to themselves and forget these kind of markets or embrace it and know how to operate this way.