One villa, one family drives out workers

Dubai Municipality's (DM) "one villa, one family" policy will drive skilled construction workers away from the city, a top HR director said.

The policy is set to force families that share villas to part, which will force workers out of Dubai, increasing an already acute manpower shortage.

The comments were made by Halcrow International regional HR director Rhyan Andersson speaking at the Construction Week Conference 2008.

"Many people are really being affected by this piece of legislation," Andersson said. "If you are going to split families apart then you are going to increase the turnover of human resources."

Dutco Balfour Beatty general manager Graham McCaig agreed, saying "it's going to cause absolute mayhem."

DM building inspection section head Omar Abdul Rahman said the rule is being enforced to ensure the safety of residents because multiple families sharing villas pose a fire hazard.

But Hyder Consulting regional director, value management and sustainability, Stephen Oehme said that "to split a family apart is not a good thing, morally or ethically, and it will be a factor that leads to them (construction professionals) retreating."

The industry is already facing a severe shortage of skilled professionals, though some analysts have said the shortage is being relieved to an extent by the global financial situation.

"People coming out here are showing interest when previously they wouldn't have," Andersson said. "If they are not too sure then we are encouraging them to seize the moment."

Andersson added that there was a 12-month period, at which point most employees would decide whether to stay in Dubai, or seek employment elsewhere.

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READERS' COMMENTS

UAE Growth will be impacted
Posted by Parag, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Sunday 16 November 2008 at 08:27 UAE time

This concept will definitely force skilled & unskilled people to either leave the country and go back home or live at away far places. Many will not be willing to do this and hence will be indirectly forced to leave the country.

Skilled Labours are one of the Major Capital of this Company after Money, which if not available, will definately damper the growth of the Country. To keep the Momemtum going, something on the rentals needs to be done

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