500 Emiratis blacklisted over attitude to jobs

Posted by: Paddy Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:52 AM[UAE] - UAE

Its only natural that the government of UAE attempts to provide employment to all of its citizens. It is in fact a laudable practice. Unless the citizens of this country are employed and able to earn their living, achieving stability in the long term will be impossible. All around the world, unrest due to lack of employment avenues for the local population is a reality. At the same time, providing employment to candidates without putting them to test should not be practiced, irrespective of the fact that they are locals. Such practice will only make the local population more lazy and complacent, thereby making them a lot less competitive in the global scenario. They should have the desired educational qualifications and the attitude to show sincerity to their jobs. Though the country is blessed with oil, the local population has to understand the fact that this will not last for ever and proper education and global exposure only will make them competitive enough to survive in the long run. Blacklisting of undeserving candidates is actually in the best interests of the nation as this will work as a deterrent against spreading of complacency and laziness among the local population. They will understand that they cannot take things for granted anymore.

Posted by: Mounir Tuesday, 26 January 2010 8:40 AM[UAE]

"In many other countries the most suitable and best candidates get the job for those very reasons whether they are local to that country isnt a deciding factor.. why should Dubai with its current metropolitan expat climate not be the same? Should a potentially more experienced expat miss out on a position because they were not born here? " I beg to differ. In EVERY country around the world, priority is always given to the local (citizen) candidate first and foremost, before going on to expats. It indeed IS a deciding factor when it comes to hiring employees: expat Work visas are not issued until proof is given to the authorities that the employer has truly searched throughout the country for local-candidates before hiring someone from outside. This is the policy for Canada, the US, EU and many other places. the UAE is one of the very few countries where local (citizens, not just those who were born here) candidates are often not even interviewed for misconceptions about their work ethics. I would agree that quite many of them lack discipline, but some of them are by far the hardest working people you will ever meet. The stigma over nationalities exists for every ethnic group, but many fail to realize that nationals should and MUST get priority over any other group. Saying something like "why should a potentially more experienced expat miss out on a position because they're not born here" is quite ridiculous to be honest: this expat is the responsibility of his/her country, not that of the UAE. SAying that the expat is 'missing out' is akin to believing that they have a right to employment, which is not true!

Posted by: Darkk Saturday, 14 January 2012 1:06 PM[UAE] - UAE

The reason why the US, Canada, Japan and other countries hire locals VS non-locals are because their locals are skilled and experienced enough to be able to do the job right. I understand that locals must be a priority and that there are locals who have the skills and/or experience - but if the country isn't going to impose a rule that would discipline its citizens... Then things are just going to stay the same. In reality... I have been in a company where they needed to hire a person from other countries due to their expertise, education and work ethics... They choose them over the locals because the locals didn't have all the necessary requirements to be able to execute well (that is after a careful and thorough skill assessment of skills, experiences and whatnot)... e.g. why hire someone to build a bridge or a building if they don't know how or have a little knowledge on building one & you know that it might only cause disaster in the future?

Posted by: Chris Sunday, 24 January 2010 2:55 PM[UAE] - UAE

I completely agree with Dave's comment as he makes a very valid point relating to how the eployment market in the UAE (in relation to Locals) is extremely different to almost every other country. Having worked in the recruitment sector (within Financial services) in both central London and here in Dubai I would like to add that although there are some extremly highly talented local candidates in the market here and I think the emiritisation laws are a good thing, I think positions should be given to locals IF they are experienced enough to do the role not just because they are locals. Unfortunately, I have found that the majority of local candidiates I have met do not have the required experience for certain roles whilst at the same time they have extremely high expectations of both salary and of 'what sort of role they THINK they can do and deserve to do' largely based around the fact they are local and not on their experience. The majority of local candidates I have met who are seeking a change in employment rarely have other reasons to move jobs than they want higher wages (almost seems as if career progression or move to a multinational organisation are n/a factors). This is fine when a candidate has been with an organistaion for a substantial time period and has gained comparible experience that will allow them to progress thier career by a move to another company and this is recognised in most other countries as an undrestandable reason to move jobs. Unfortunate though, since I have been in Dubai I have seen it all too often that a local candidate will want to move company's (perhaps only after 3 -6 months) because they want ANOTHER salary hike, yet when I ask them to explain their previous roles, they often have very little to talk about which has to make you consider 'is their experience worth ANOTHER pay increase or are they deserving of getting higher position in a new company based on their experience not nationality?' Again, I reiterate that there are some very talented local candidates here in the UAE, however, the blacklist in my opinion is actually a step in the right direction as it will help in preventing some of the more lethargic and solely salary orientated local candidates going for jobs that in reality, they are not qualified for or to be honest deserving of given their experience. In many other countries the most suitable and best candidates get the job for those very reasons whether they are local to that country isnt a deciding factor.. why should Dubai with its current metropolitan expat climate not be the same? Should a potentially more experienced expat miss out on a position because they were not born here?

Posted by: David Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:46 PM[UAE] - UAE

"As long as there is unemployment among the locals, the government should do its best or get rid of the foreigners (my being one of them). This is common in most other developed countries...the criteria for hiring a foreigner always requires proof that no one exists locally who can do the job as well for a reasonable salary." Come on Jessy, THINK before you post. The UAE is not like other countries that have a big local population. The locals make up 20% of the overall popualation. If they got rid of expats, who would do the work in Dubai, there would be no point in the UAE being the way it is today without the expats. And the reason why there are mainly expats is due to small local population and no one being available to do the job at a "reasonable" salary. I dont see any need to blacklist locals as they have a choice where to work. If they dont want to work, are spoiled/lazy, then let the jobs go to those that are willing to work hard.

Posted by: CH Tuesday, 17 November 2009 9:54 PM[UAE]

If you have been blacklisted there has got to be a good reason. If you turn down six jobs, unable to meet for interviews etc you are either to lazy, don't care about the job you are give, don't take other peoples profession and company serious. Hence, people why should employers want you and why should you be given special treatment if your attitude is all wrong. Blacklisting should actually result in a manner and attitude course .