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Discuss this article (36 Comments)Police chief warns firms over layoffs of UAE nationals
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 12 February 2009
POLICE WARNING: Mass layoffs of UAE nationals is a breach of the law, says Dubai's police chief. (Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)
Arbitrary mass layoffs of UAE nationals by private sector companies breach the law and the country's traditions, according to Dubai police chief Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim.
"Dubai Police will boycott local and non-local companies that use the current economic crisis as a pretext to carry out mass layoffs of UAE nationals at short notice without giving them enough time to look for new jobs," he warned in comments published by news agency WAM.
The official said such layoffs harm the relations between the public and private organisations in the UAE.
Related: UAE jobs for UAE nationals
Private companies, he urged, must keep UAE nationals in their jobs in order to keep the national identity of the sector.
Tamim warned other private organisations and businesses against taking similar moves which he said would prompt a boycott by Dubai Police without explaining what a boycott would involve.
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
A simmering bowl of vitriol
Posted by scc on Monday 16 February 2009 at 19:48 UAE time
In between the immature ramblings of most of the local comment there are serious issues that pose questions for the future of this region. If it is not possible to visualise the future as a symbiotic joint venture between a minority indigenous race and the majority skill pool, then something is wrong. Either way it's worrying and more so as there is an aggression and near xenophobia exhibited on these pages that did not appear to be present before.
It would be instructive for some UAE National input as to why this is happening now. Do they hold expats responsible for the breakdown of the economy, for the diminished sense of identity, for the social transgression of their leaders? Why is the refrain about packing bags & leaving repeated as a mantra without rational consideration of the alternative?
Emiratis should be rightfully proud of some of their country's achievements and thankful that their leaders align State interests to those of their subjects. However, these selfish, uninformed musings prove how very unworthy many are of this near Utopian dream created for them.
Credible and articulate local comment would be very welcome from me at least.
Posted by scc on Monday 16 February 2009 at 19:48 UAE time
In between the immature ramblings of most of the local comment there are serious issues that pose questions for the future of this region. If it is not possible to visualise the future as a symbiotic joint venture between a minority indigenous race and the majority skill pool, then something is wrong. Either way it's worrying and more so as there is an aggression and near xenophobia exhibited on these pages that did not appear to be present before.
It would be instructive for some UAE National input as to why this is happening now. Do they hold expats responsible for the breakdown of the economy, for the diminished sense of identity, for the social transgression of their leaders? Why is the refrain about packing bags & leaving repeated as a mantra without rational consideration of the alternative?
Emiratis should be rightfully proud of some of their country's achievements and thankful that their leaders align State interests to those of their subjects. However, these selfish, uninformed musings prove how very unworthy many are of this near Utopian dream created for them.
Credible and articulate local comment would be very welcome from me at least.
National everywhere
Posted by Marwan, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 15:08 UAE time
Greetings All,
This topic can get a little personal as it affects all the people it discusses personally. However, if can please refrain from getting emtional and instead tackle the issue at hand we would come to see that Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan's message was very understandable.
Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan runs an organization, a very big organizations to pays out hundereds of millions in contracts for everything from construction requirements to stationary. Therefore there are about 4000+ companies that the police department does business with just to cover its operational issues and have nothing to do with it being a policing body. Therefore when it's Manager or CEO or person in charge makes a statement that he will not accomodate any dealings with any company that fails to adhere with a manadate of the UAE constitution (whose main reason for existing is to protect the best interest of the people) than what is soo difficult to comrehend by that??
Any country in the world give prioirty in the country to its nationals. and if you our guests here in the U.A.E visited your own country's I am absolutly sure the the prodominant working population would be a local one. Moreover, In your esteemed countries if the workforce is not predominantly local then you have labour unions that will orchestrate strikes on your behalf and boycott the companies in question. Yet you oppose when one god-fearing indiviual makes a remark the is not common practise but common sense since no organization can sustain a benefical relationship within a country without strong ties with the national community.
Thank you, and please excuse me if i have un-intentionally offended anyone.
Posted by Marwan, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 15:08 UAE time
Greetings All,
This topic can get a little personal as it affects all the people it discusses personally. However, if can please refrain from getting emtional and instead tackle the issue at hand we would come to see that Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan's message was very understandable.
Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan runs an organization, a very big organizations to pays out hundereds of millions in contracts for everything from construction requirements to stationary. Therefore there are about 4000+ companies that the police department does business with just to cover its operational issues and have nothing to do with it being a policing body. Therefore when it's Manager or CEO or person in charge makes a statement that he will not accomodate any dealings with any company that fails to adhere with a manadate of the UAE constitution (whose main reason for existing is to protect the best interest of the people) than what is soo difficult to comrehend by that??
Any country in the world give prioirty in the country to its nationals. and if you our guests here in the U.A.E visited your own country's I am absolutly sure the the prodominant working population would be a local one. Moreover, In your esteemed countries if the workforce is not predominantly local then you have labour unions that will orchestrate strikes on your behalf and boycott the companies in question. Yet you oppose when one god-fearing indiviual makes a remark the is not common practise but common sense since no organization can sustain a benefical relationship within a country without strong ties with the national community.
Thank you, and please excuse me if i have un-intentionally offended anyone.
some facts
Posted by Mahmud, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 13:37 UAE time
As an expat, I have no problem whatsoever with UAE Nationals getting priority in jobs, perks etc etc. Its understandable given its their country.
But what surprises me is the attitude and indirect message that all expats are mediocre workers, or that if all expats left, people here would finally prosper after years of oppression by expats.
The structure here is very skewed against expats, and theres nothign wrong with it. But funnily many people still think expats are winning at the expense of natives.
Posted by Mahmud, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 13:37 UAE time
As an expat, I have no problem whatsoever with UAE Nationals getting priority in jobs, perks etc etc. Its understandable given its their country.
But what surprises me is the attitude and indirect message that all expats are mediocre workers, or that if all expats left, people here would finally prosper after years of oppression by expats.
The structure here is very skewed against expats, and theres nothign wrong with it. But funnily many people still think expats are winning at the expense of natives.
explore the world
Posted by Nadia Mohamad, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 12:45 UAE time
The highly respected Dubai police chief Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim is a UAE citizen therefore as a UAE citizen and police chief he has the right to comment on anything and everything without mincing words. This has nothing to do with discrimination, the UAE is our land and all locals are entitled to all its fruits before any other guest(s). Expats must not restrict themselves to the UAE, the world is large, just go and explore it.
Posted by Nadia Mohamad, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 February 2009 at 12:45 UAE time
The highly respected Dubai police chief Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan Tamim is a UAE citizen therefore as a UAE citizen and police chief he has the right to comment on anything and everything without mincing words. This has nothing to do with discrimination, the UAE is our land and all locals are entitled to all its fruits before any other guest(s). Expats must not restrict themselves to the UAE, the world is large, just go and explore it.
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