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http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article47915.ece
Is bribe in a gift pack acceptable?
By LAURA BASHRAHEEL | ARAB NEWS
Published: Apr 27, 2010 23:06 Updated: Apr 27, 2010 23:06
JEDDAH: There is a thin line between gifts and bribes. Some bribes could be
wrapped up as a subtly disguised present and considered a natural part of
business, or an unacceptable sign of corruption.
Maha Abdul Majeed, a 28-year-old marketer who used to work at a marketing
agency, said that her company used to give gifts to municipality workers and
Ministry of Labor inspectors to avoid fines.
"We had a few incidents where inspectors visited our offices "digging" for
violations. Once I had an argument with an inspector who came into the women's
section to check if any gender mixing was taking place so he could give the
company a fine," she said.
Abdul Majeed found out later that the inspectors visit her office to take free
travel tickets in return for turning a blind eye to any violations. "Maybe free
tickets aren't considered a bribe to them but I believe they are and this is
actually sad," she added. Some see bribery as a natural part of business. A
successful 30-year-old businessman, who did not want his name published, said
that he gives bribes, sometimes in the form of expensive gifts such as plane
tickets.
"I don't see gifts as bribes. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," he
said. However, he justified giving bribes as his way of expressing appreciation
for those who help make his business a success.
Samaher Fadel, who works as an instructor at a college, said there is no harm
in giving gifts to employees or a superior at work. "Gifts to people are
supposed to signify love and friendship and it helps sometimes at work," she
said.
Fadel however admitted giving gifts such as gold necklaces to her superiors in
exchange for special treatment. "When I am sick or late, my boss doesn't mark
me absent. I also respect her so much, that's why I bring her gifts sometimes.
It's a social courtesy, not a bribe," she said.
On the other hand, Hanan Amri, a 34-year-old bank employee, said that she has
refused gifts many times because she considers them bribes and bank policies
are very strict. "I refuse bribes and gifts. In my job it's hard to accept
anything because they are keeping an eye on us, plus it's a sin forbidden by
God," she said.
In July 2009, a court fined and jailed 16 Taif municipal employees for
accepting bribes in exchange for special treatment. All of them lost their jobs
Abdullah Sarhan, an imam at a mosque, said that gifts in exchange for favors
are considered bribes and were not allowed in Islam. "Society has become very
corrupt although God has forbidden the act of bribery," he said.
Sarhan asked for a strict law that would eliminate bribery in the Kingdom.
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