Mideast hospitality sector could face staff shortage

RECRUITMENT WARNING: The Middle East's hospitality sector could face a shortage in staff in future.

The Middle East's hospitality sector could face a serious shortage in staff in the wake of dwindling staff flow from traditional markets like India and South East Asia, according to a new report.

According to Dubai-based website, Hozpitality.com , more than two million staff will be needed to service the regional hospitality sector by 2020 amid massive expansion across the region with investments running into billions of dollars.

Raj Bhatt, director, Hozpitality.com, warned that some of the predominant traditional markets from where the Gulf hospitality industry sources its manpower are now slowing down as destinations to recruit staff.

“It is becoming tough to source skilled hospitality staff from South East Asia and India, two of the major markets from where Gulf countries used to recruit because of increasing opportunities in their home market.”

The demand upswing in the home markets has also narrowed the gap between the remuneration levels with the difference in salaries offered in the Gulf countries not significantly higher than what they get in their country, he added.

“For instance in South East Asia, more than 40 hotels are coming on stream in Thailand and in Singapore two integrated resorts opening in the next two years is expected to generate some 20,000 jobs.

"There are also reports that Macau will need some 60,000 to 80,000 trained manpower while Dubai would need to recruit in the range of 50,000 in the next few years.

"The prospects are daunting if you look at the region where investments and hospitality sector is soaring with Dubai alone accounting to over $60 billion worth of projects and some additional 70,000 rooms coming on stream in the next few years,” Bhatt said.

He said that India, which is another top destination for hospitality recruitments is also drying up because of the country’s strong economic growth creating more job opportunities with higher remuneration.

But Bhatt added that many African countries like Kenya and Tanzania are now emerging as a potential sources for skilled manpower.

“We have been travelling to Kenya for many 5-star hotels for pre-opening recruitments and have always been successful in getting good hospitality staff,” Bhatt said.

“We have even received inquiries from the US agencies keen to bring in Americans work in the UAE hospitality industry with recession hitting the workforce there and for them Middle East looks like an attractive proposition in this context,” he added.

The other new emerging market is South America and Brazilians are also coming to Dubai for certain positions within the hospitality industry, Bhatt said.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Working & Living Conditions!
Posted by A.L.S, Dubai on Thursday 27 November 2008 at 08:40 UAE time

I agree with Marijke. The Hospitality industry in the Gulf has to change many things. I was placed in a room with 3 other girls = 4 strangers sharing one room!!!!!! Shared the bathroom with 8 girls. Had to work at least 10-11 hours per day! Only had 1 day off per week and my salary was a mere Dhs1,200. Now I was one of the higher paid!!!!!! That is not acceptable. The amount of work one does is not appreciated, and to imagen that the majority of these staff still have qualifications in Hospitality makes things much worse! If Dubai's Hospitality sector wishes to continue to grow they need to set the benchmark higher. Proper Hotel staff is trained & qualified and should be treated with respect.

Staff using Internships
Posted by Leslie L Sim, Singapore, Singapore on Monday 24 November 2008 at 09:53 UAE time


Some might want o consider using trained students and I am suggesting that since we run a fairly big hospitality school in Singapore.
Interested parties wishing to JV with us to have students sent to the GCC, contact me at lesliesim@aec.edu.sg. Cheers.

Shortage
Posted by Marijke, Bahrain on Monday 24 November 2008 at 09:15 UAE time

I'm not surprised. Having worked in A 5 star hotel in the Gulf, I understand why skilled Asian workers prefer to stay in their own countries if possible. First, salaries are very low, second, too many people have to share their accomodation. We were 4 girls in a 2 bed room flat, sharing with complete strangers. Third, only one day off a week, whereas I have now 2 days, as Im in an office now. And last but not least, the way Asian people are being treated by mainly people form the Gulf. It's disgusting. Snapping fingers, shouting, whistling.. They are such good and kind people and it;s being taken advantage of. If the Gulf wants to keep these people, there are many things they need to change!

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