Low productivity of Arabs a 'myth' - professor

WORK ATTITUDE: No population should be described as productive or non-productive, said professor Lootah. (Getty Images)

The low productivity of Arab workers is untrue and should not be used as an excuse for hindering human resource development in the region, according to a leading professor of social sciences.

The comments were made by Hessa Lootah, associate professor at the college of humanities and social sciences at the UAE University, on the sidelines of the Human Resources and Development in the Arabian Gulf conference, last week.

It was a myth that Arab workers had a poor attitude to productivity that stemmed from imperialism, Lootah, who has carried out extensive social science research in the region, told UAE daily Gulf News.

"If you read into the literature of colonialism, this has always been the way local people were talked about whether they are Arabs, Latin Americans, Indians or Pakistanis," she said.

Lootah spoke out after the low productivity of Arab workers was pointed out out at the conference as one of the roadblocks stopping human resources development in the region.

"The idea that Gulf nationals are unqualified is a misguided concept, existing only in the Gulf.

The essence of this is that the Gulf countries are undeserving of their wealth, and it should therefore be taken from them," she added.

It was wrong to classify the entire population of any nation as productive or non-productive, Lootah said.

"It is only normal that a nation comprises of people with varied degrees of productivity-from high to medium to low," she concluded.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Top level locals
Posted by Aussie on Wednesday 11 February 2009 at 07:33 UAE time


I have been so impressed by the locals who through their hardwork and business smarts have risen to the top levels of governemnt and private enterprise these are the men - and women - who impress me immensely - they have drive and determination.

I work with many locals in a company that is probably 20-80 - 20% locals. These locals work in mid range positions and also on our reception.

Fo rthe guys who work at a mid range level - they spend more time sitting together smoking/chatting/eating/doing tours of their cars than they do working.

The of course is the constand phone calls - this whilst the majority of the expats (I won't say all - one or 2 need a smack in the head to get them going) are working 10-12 hours to get out business to where it needs during start up.

This is creating bad feeling and a lack repsect for local's work ethic.

If the UAE eventually wishes to have it's own population managing, running and growing businesses then the hand holding needs to stop.

I am one of those people working long busy hours and feels I am more invested in this govewrnment owned company than any of the locals who "work" there.

All people who work should be employed and promoted on their merits - not based on nationality - this will never result in a capable, skilled workforce.

Arabs working in the west are very productive
Posted by Kevin, Dubai on Monday 9 February 2009 at 21:36 UAE time


I truly believe that the environment where you live, defines your attitude and productivity. For instance, Arabs that live in Western countries are very productive..however, when they are back home, they tend to relax a bit. This is visible to others and hence the generalisation. The same goes for Westerners working in Gulf countries for instance. They are often seen as low productive and potentially on a vacation in the sunshine gulf states...makes you think heh?

Generalizations
Posted by pro@mailinator.com, Dubai, UAE on Monday 9 February 2009 at 12:36 UAE time


If all generalizations are false - isnt that just such a generalization?

Poor propaganda
Posted by angelo, Dubai, UAE on Monday 9 February 2009 at 08:09 UAE time


I agree with the previous comments by Rainigade and Peter Barlow. It looks as if someone is trying to shift some "blame " here Colonialism wasn't the best system - but a lot better than others that were around at that time. Arab merchants have always been some of the shrewdest. It was also difficult for non Arab people to understand the Bedouin and after 900 years many europeans still don't.

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