Illegal competition to licensed spas
While the authorities fight those rampant offences, the public has to be careful and to opt to stay away from anything that does not seem right.”
Abdul Moneim bin Suwaidan, Emirati lawyer
According to Emirati lawyer Abdul Moneim bin Suwaidan of Bin Suwaidan Firm for Advocates and Legal Counsels, distributing such cards can be seen as a public marketing for illegal and indecent activities. “Those individuals hold no licence to work in this field and have no respect to professional or hygiene standards. There is no idea as to who are their employers and sponsors. They have no identification to track them down for any complaint or in case of any problem,” the lawyer pointed out, stressing on the need for the authorities concerned to watch out on those illegal businesses and conduct intensive inspection campaigns.
“However, we find those ‘socalled centres’ unfairly competing with the real massage parlours and spas located in shopping centres or hotels and resorts that are licensed and pay fees and taxes for the professional practice. Hence, they should not be left unpunished or taken lightly.”
“In addition, they are not complying with the regulation that strictly bans giving massage service to the opposite sex. Many illegal ‘centres’ turned out to be prostitution dens.”
Bin Suwaidan called for more stiff penalties on those offenders. He firmly recommended that such people get tracked down and deported administratively. “The licensing bodies should conduct intensive inspection campaigns and stop the widespread illegal businesses. Severe penalties and hefty fines should be imposed so that those so-called centres get shut down.
“My advice would be to avoid such services through these channels. The Dubai Courts heard many cases, in which Asian and African gangs targeted customers and assaulted and robbed them. Those gangs use it (massage offers) as a bait to lure men and then blackmail them.”
Bin Suwaidan further said: “While the authorities fight those rampant offences, the public has to be careful and to opt to stay away from anything that does not seem right.”
He concluded that he felt embarrassed in front of his family whenever he parked his car in some areas, like International City and Satwa, and returned to find several cards left on it.