Despite ongoing efforts to curb the practice, unwanted sales calls continue to plague UAE residents. The government is tightening regulations on cold calling and will soon introduce new penalties.
Persisting Problem of Unwanted Sales Calls
While many people receive occasional calls from marketers, some experiences are more extreme. Dubai resident Allaine Galvez faced relentless calls from a "forex trading guy" for about four months. Initially, Galvez, who was job hunting at the time, told the caller she couldn't invest because she was unemployed. However, the calls continued, with the man using different numbers and persistently asking if she had found a job and was ready to invest.
Government Action on Cold Calling
In an effort to address this issue, the UAE Cabinet recently approved a decision to regulate cold calling. New guidelines will be established for telemarketing practices, and companies will have specific obligations to follow. Violations will incur penalties, enforced through cooperation between federal and local authorities. This regulatory move aims to put an end to the intrusive practice of unsolicited sales calls.
While these calls are a nuisance for many, it's important to recognize that making cold calls is also a difficult job. Mitchel Cervales, a 27-year-old expat in Dubai, shared his brief experience as a telemarketer. He described the job as challenging and disheartening, with frequent rejections over the phone. Cervales had to follow a script and call numerous people, trying to convince them to sign up and invest. After two weeks of no success, he decided the job wasn’t for him.
For most UAE residents, these calls are unwelcome interruptions. Eric Saguil, who works for a design firm, never misses calls, hoping for job opportunities or important messages. However, the majority of these calls turn out to be from forex traders, banks, or salespeople. Saguil estimates that nine out of ten calls from unknown numbers are marketing calls, making it particularly frustrating during busy workdays.
While the new law on cold calling is pending implementation, residents currently have some options to manage these calls. In 2022, UAE authorities launched the Kashif initiative, which registers companies for caller ID services. This means that when an unknown number calls, the associated company name appears on the recipient's phone, helping residents decide whether to answer.
Additionally, residents can sign up for the UAE’s 'Do Not Call Registry (DNCR)'. By registering, individuals can indicate that they do not wish to receive telemarketing and promotional calls. This registry offers a way for residents to opt out of unsolicited marketing, providing some relief from persistent cold callers.
The persistent issue of unwanted sales calls in the UAE has prompted the government to take regulatory action. With new guidelines and penalties on the horizon, residents can look forward to fewer interruptions from telemarketers. Until these measures are fully implemented, initiatives like Kashif and the DNCR offer practical solutions for managing unsolicited calls. The regulatory changes aim to balance the challenges faced by telemarketers with the need for privacy and peace for residents.