Originally Posted by mikewot (Post 11885012)

Uuuumnmm maybe it's just me but where does the electricity come from to power these things? In Dubai they mainly have gas powered electric generation , from the oilfields. So indirectly oil is still involved.
Something Green people tend to forget is that the electricity has to be generated to power these things, it's not done by magic.

Originally Posted by Bahtatboy (Post 11884400)

Not so bizarre, really. The company's in the possesion of the facts about what led to the redundancy, and how it made the decision who to make redundant: therefore only the company can reasonably demonstrate one way or the other. It's certainly not as full-on "guilty until you prove yourself innocent" position assumed by HMRC and supported by the courts...

Originally Posted by Lightandbitter (Post 11884333)

just try, for five minutes at least, to stop being a ****

Originally Posted by mission (Post 11885311)

just found out one of the big honcho's (brit expat) at ZADCO, who are one of our major clients (which is owned by ADNOC) was told to pack his bags, without any warning.

Originally Posted by Millhouse (Post 11885952)

Everyone loves a surprise holiday.

Originally Posted by Inselaffen (Post 11887138)

Nigeria definitely being hit badly. Flew down on Tuesday and the flight was less than half full. Every other flight I've taken to/from lagos has been packed full.

Traffic jams in and out of Apapa (the main port area) have gone. The main terminal at Apapa is nearly empty. Previously ships would wait at least 3 days to berth.

Not going to be a good year for us.

Originally Posted by Irishbeekeeper (Post 11887167)

Nearly all of my African customers

Originally Posted by Bahtatboy (Post 11884363)

(well-seasoned guy, but a complete nightmare as a leader and manager: shame he's not reading this -- the words are too short).

Originally Posted by Irishbeekeeper (Post 11887167)

Nearly all of my African customers say the same thing over and over again : There are no dollars for us to buy so we can use them and buy items from other countries. Banks, western union, Hawala system etc, all are always short on cash in Dollars. I wonder who controls the dollar cash flow to that continent and why is there a shortage there? Are the yanks keeping the reins tight there so there is no terror funding or is it something else? I genuinely would like to know the answer to that as there are quite a few customers of mine in Africa who are struggling because of a shortage of Dollars.

Originally Posted by Irishbeekeeper (Post 11884755)

I have on very good authority that local businesses have been given fines for telling their walkins that business is bad and that things are tough. Yes I know as bizarre as it may seem, there are 3 instances in which 2 x 5000 aed fines and 1 x 3000 fine was given to the respective business for calling a spade a spade. A 'customer' walked in and inquired about a product and then struck up a conversation with the sales person or the business owner and when he found complaints, magically transformed into an official and wrote out the fine there and then. I went out of my way to verify it and it was true. So....zip up lads and ladettes and repeat after me...all is great and we couldn't be happier ;)

Originally Posted by mission (Post 11885311)

just found out one of the big honcho's (brit expat) at ZADCO, who are one of our major clients (which is owned by ADNOC) was told to pack his bags, without any warning.