UAE job victims urged to look at GCC opportunities

JOB SEARCH: Redundancy victims are being urged to look at other opportunities within the GCC. (Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)

UAE-based recruitment agencies are urging redundant employees to widen their job searches to other GCC countries as new job opportunities in the real estate and construction sector decline.

Spectacular economic growth, spurred by a booming construction sector, has lured thousands of expats to the UAE for tax free salaries and year round sun.
But as the global recession starts to bite and huge construction projects are put on hold, many are looking to other Gulf countries for similar job opportunities.

“Our focus has been relocating clients from Dubai and Abu Dhabi into wider GCC and Middle East markets,” Dave Storey, director at Michael Page Middle East in Dubai told Arabian Business.

“Most expats from Dubai and Abu Dhabi are still favourable about the region and more open to moving outside of the UAE,” he added.

Employees in the construction and real estate industries, which represent two of the biggest drivers of GDP growth in the UAE, have been most affected by the downturn with many recruitment agencies reporting a 50 percent increase in candidates from within the region.

“Around 50 percent of the CVs that we are receiving are from people who have lost their job already or who are uncomfortable about their existing job,” said Mike Hynes, managing partner at Kershaw Leonard in Dubai.

A project manager for a Dubai-based construction firm, who asked not to be named, was made redundant last year, said redundant employees in construction might not have a choice but to move within the region.

“People won’t have a choice. If there’s no work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi then people will have to look at working in other countries,” he said.

In the past two months state-owned Nakheel, the developer behind the Palm islands, has laid off more than 500 workers.

Emaar has made 100 workers redundant while Tameer has reduced its staff by 180 and Omniyat Properties by 69. 

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READERS' COMMENTS

Not Surprised
Posted by SYED, SHARJAH, UAE on Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 16:07 UAE time


Might not be agreeable to many, UAE'S salary structures were highly inflated, especially in construction sector, I have heard of salaries to the tune of 80,000 to 90,000 per month, Is the candidate really worthy of such outrageous remuneration, Its time employee and employers to take stock of the situation and come to terms with reality. Biggger salaries bring in more expenditures, greed to buy ,invest and loan more, With so many expats leaving UAE, real estate is further going to face the brunt, The only upside to it would be a decline in property prices, further realistic and transparent property deals would bring forth a healthy growth cycle. Although unfortunate, many are being made redundant , market cleansing was the need of the hour. Looking at oppurtunities around GCC is a good idea, however expecting UAE like salaries, Oh forget it.........

deflation
Posted by paul, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 13:03 UAE time


I am not sure opportunities outside Dubai or AD will last much longer either. It seems that Dubai and AD are the first hit, but I would expect other countries in the region to suffer soon enough from similar problems. All of them have seen high growth over the past few years due to the oil price spike as well as real estate bubbles.

job opportunities
Posted by angelo, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 20 January 2009 at 08:24 UAE time


yes jobs are being offered - and again some are exploiting the situation - One of my colleagues allegedly was told he can keep his job but reduced from a 25000 salary package to 17000 package - and he is not unique - this is also reflected in the remuneration package being offered in other GCC states - all out goings have remained the same. So you are expected to work just to "stand still" whilst landlords and others still keep healthy profits. Rumor control alleges that the price that some small businesses charge for a long visa is now 35000 dhm

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